This year’s listing of library building projects completed between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013, expands on the concept of all-purpose spaces to suit a variety of patrons and needs. There are 77 public efforts, and among the 14 academic buildings is the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons at Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI (above), which allows students to invent their own environments. A banquet of libraries with that all-important, all-purpose ingredient.
This is an expanded version of the Architecture Issue that appeared in print November 15, 2013.
Opener image: The Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI.
Architect: SHW Group; photo by James Haefner.
All-purpose flour. That was likely my first experience of the term all-purpose, which, according to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed., came into use in 1928. Television commercials in my youth were usually hyping ways to make a homemaker’s life easier, and what could be better for preparing nutritious family dinners than a single ingredient that would function in numerous baking situations?
LJ’s annual roundup of completed library building projects brings to mind that phrase. The 14 academic library and 77 public library construction projects featured here, completed between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013, demonstrate that quality by virtue of their vision and design, basically providing something for everyone.
For all ages
The new East Rancho Dominquez Library, County of Los Angeles Public Library, owing to its colorful and attractive design, has become a highly visible landmark, with a large, inviting children’s area, a separate teen space, a “Family Place,” and a community meeting room. The Lemon Grove Branch of San Diego County Library, a joint-use facility with the Lemon Grove Academy for the Sciences and Humanities, has quiet study and computer rooms, as well as a community space and kitchen that open onto the landscaped Poet’s Patio. The Bayview Branch of the San Francisco Public Library has an enclosed, outdoor courtyard; separate teen and children’s areas; and a program room with after-hours access for community groups. The remodeled Queens Library at Bayside, NY, required the creation of three distinct zones (adults, teens, and children) within an open footprint so that they “had their own identity yet made a cohesive design statement.” The Ludington Library, Bryn Mawr, PA, set up shop with a reading porch, an exhibition gallery, and a fully equipped 100-plus-seat meeting room. The Teton County Library, Jackson, WY, includes a new youth wing to the south of the existing building and a new auditorium to the north.
Youthful enthusiasm
For the younger set, the Pendleton County Public Library, Falmouth, KY, displays a medieval castle turret entryway and a garden gateway mural. The Boca Raton Downtown Library, FL, upgraded with an ocean-themed carved glass entrance, oversized whimsical fish graphics, and a reading room distinguished by an eye-catching fish mobile. The Hillcrest Heights Branch Library, Temple Hills, MD, bears a circus-themed children’s area, with bookshelves covered to simulate a tent. The young adult room at the Millis Public Library, MA, is jazzed up with “funky” furnishings. The library was deliberately placed within walking distance of the public, preschool, and Montessori schools within the town’s boundaries. A bequest to the Liverpool Public Library, NY, allowed the library to commission three life-sized cement dinosaurs for an outdoor seating area/rain garden/program space. The Sam Gary Branch of Denver Public Library added a public art project that hangs from the center of the building’s ceiling and projects light with the aid of a mechanical dish that moves to capture maximum light as the earth rotates. The early literacy area at the new Silt Branch Library, CO, inspired by the surrounding wetlands, features an installation of real butterflies cast in resin “cattails” and water-themed interactive panels.
Cost-conscious and green, too
The Fairwood Branch Library, Baton Rouge, LA, was built on a pay-as-you-go plan, eschewing the need for bonds and, ultimately, “indebtedness.” The Kensington Branch of Brooklyn Public Library is organized around the concept of daylight, with a central top-lit atrium, a north-facing high-performance curtain wall, a south-facing garden wall, and a sidewall set back for eastern exposure. The Queens Library at Mitchell-Linden, NY, is the first Queens Library to be located in condo space, while the Bala Cynwyd Library, PA, is one-half of a two-member condo association; it is paired with a private school. The Pine River Library, Bayfield, CO, was designed with a focus on energy efficiency and abundant daylighting. The new community rooms connect to outdoor reading areas that have fire pits and an adjacent community garden. The Ladd Library, Cedar Rapids, IA, occupies a formerly abandoned Target store in an underused shopping plaza. The modern retail design is adaptable for classrooms, meeting rooms, party rooms, and workshops. The Belle Glade Branch, Palm Beach County Library System, FL, incorporated bicycle racks and shower/changing rooms into its amenities. Preferred parking is provided for low-emission/fuel-efficient vehicles.
History lovers, with a modern twist
With an eye toward historic projects, the Mid-Continent Public Library Woodneath Library Center, Kansas City, MO, sits on land that includes an 1855 landmark home that will be converted to a story center, along with a machine shed, a barn, and a silo. The Smithtown Library, NY, remodel preserves the original Colonial design and architectural details while serving as a central hub for social and community activities. The Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC, originally built in 1925 with Carnegie funds, illustrates an Italian Renaissance design that harmonizes with the neighboring churches and embassies. The Brooklyn Public Library Park Slope branch is a renovated 1906 Carnegie building. The Lewiston City Library, ID, built in 1890 as a hardware store, retained the original industrial lift and roll-up steel coiling door in the children’s area.
Focusing on a 21st-century vibe, the Town of Vail Public Library, CO, Social Computer Area presents patrons with space to use their cell phones, Skype, and more. The Arlington Heights Memorial Library, IL, encompasses a training center that hosts over 80 tech classes per month; The Hub, a teen space with gaming areas, laptops, and comfortable seating; and The Marketplace, home to 20,000 new and popular books, music, and movies. The Teen Place at Schaumburg Township District Library, IL, features collaborative work areas and group study rooms, a Maker space, and a professional-quality digital production studio. Carver County/City of Watertown Library, MN, incorporates bins on wheels; an “open air” conference room with mobile, adaptable furniture; integrated group-focused “collaboration stations”; and a laptop/desktop bar.
An academic thrust
Armstrong Atlantic University, Savannah, renovated an adjacent building to create a learning commons. At the Eisenhower Library and Brody Learning Commons, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, a 100-seat quiet reading room complements the building’s interactive technologies and group study spaces. The Spring Creek Campus Library of Collin College, Plano, TX, has no objection to its mock trial courtroom, which can be converted into a large, general-purpose classroom. The Claire T. Carney Library, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, has the feel of a campus living room, with a café and a flexible gathering area that doubles as an event space. The new Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons at Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, incorporates a range of quiet spaces and high-energy zones for multitaskers and groups. At the J. Murrey Atkins Library, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the chairs, tables, and screens are portable, so students can configure study areas as they wish. Also, the students at Raymond Cravens Library, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, have their pick of collaborative booths, bistro tables, soft seating, and charging stations.
A banquet of libraries with that all-important, all-purpose ingredient.
ARCHITECTS Showcase
A
ADG, Oklahoma City; 405-232-5700; www.adgokc.com
A.L.R. Architecture, Charlotte, NC; 704-348-2699; www.alr-arch.com
Arcari + Iovino, Little Ferry, NJ; 201-641-0600; www.aiarchs.com
Archipelago Maui, Lahaina, HI; 808-573-0949; archipelagomaui.com
B
Bani, Carville & Brown, Baton Rouge, LA; 225-343-2267; www.bcbaia.com
Barker Rinker Seacat, Denver; 866-646-1980; brsarch.com
BBS Architects, Landscape Architects & Engineers, Patchogue, NY; 631-475-0349; www.bbsarch.com
Vincent Benic Architect, New York; 212-475-1152; vbarch.com
Burgeon Group, Portland, OR; 503-730-9941; www.burgeongroup.com
BWS Architects, Tucson, AZ; 520-795-2705
C
Carde Ten Architects, Santa Monica, CA; 310-453-4427; www.cardeten.com
Castellaw Kom Architects (CKA), Lewiston, ID; 208-746-0183; ckarchitects.com
CDA Architects, Columbia, SC; 803-799-6502; www.cdacolumbia.com
Robert R. Coffee Architect & Associates, Newport Beach, CA; 949-760-8668; robertcoffeearchitects.com
Cogdell & Mendrala Architects, PC, Savannah; 912-234-6318; www.cogdellmendrala.com
Core Group, Washington, DC; 202-466-6116; coredc.com
Corley Redfoot Architects, Chapel Hill, NC; 919-401-8586; www.corleyredfootzack.com
D
Leo A. Daly, Minneapolis; 612-341-9588; www.leoadaly.com
DCS Infrastructure, Medford, NY; 631-320-1706; www.dcsllc.info
designLAB architects, Boston; 617-350-3005; www.designlabarch.com
Dewberry, Dallas; 469-232-5245; www.dewberry.com
Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc., Toronto; 416-862-8800; www.dsai.ca
DSGW, Duluth, MN; 218-727-2626; www.dsgw.com
Dub Architects Ltd., Edmonton, Alta.; 780-428-7888; www.dubarchitects.ca
E
EwingCole/RATIO Architects— Associated Architects, Indianapolis; 317-633-4040; www.RATIOarchitects.com
F
Field Paoli Architects, San Francisco; 415-788-6606; www.fieldpaoli.com
G
Gant Brunnett Architects, Baltimore; 410-234-8444; www.gba-architects.com
Gaylord Bros. Inc., Syracuse, NY; 800-272-3412; www.gaylord.com
Gilday Architects PC, Jackson, WY; 307-733-7303; www.gildayarchitects.com
Gow Hastings Architects, Inc., Toronto; 416-920-0031, x222; gowhastings.com
H
Hagen, Christensen & McIlwain Architects, Minneapolis; 612-904-1332; www.hcmarchitects.com
HBM Architects, Cleveland; 216-241-1100; www.HBMarchitects.com
HBRA Architects, Chicago; 312-527-3200; www.hbra-arch.com
HGA, Milwaukee; 414-279-8200; www.hga.com
Hidell & Associates Architects, Carrollton, TX; 972-416-4666; www.hidell.com
HMA2, New York; 212-696-0414; www.hma2.com
Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture, New York; 212-465-0808; www.holzmanmoss.com
Hughes Condon Marler Architects, Vancouver, BC; hcma.ca
Humphries Poli Architects, PC, Denver; 303-607-0040; www.hparch.com
I
Integrated Design Group, New York; 212-869-3540; www.idgarchitects.com
J
Johnson Favaro LLC, Culver City, CA; 310-559-5720; www.johnsonfavaro.com
Johnston Architects PLLC, Seattle; 206-523-6150; johnstonarchitects.com
John P. Kennedy, Wildlife Sculptor, Delphi Falls, NY; 315-662-7242; jpksculpture.com/main.htm
K
[KP]a+d (Karin Payson), San Francisco; 415-277-9500; www.kpad.com
L
Lantz Construction Company, Broadway, VA; 540-896-8911; www.lantzcc.com
Lohan Anderson, Chicago; 312-988-7800; lohananderson.com
M
MMKC Associates, Powell, OH; 866-675-7584; www.mkcinc.com
N
Noll & Tam Architects, Berkeley, CA; 510-542-22; www.nollandtam.com
O
OPN Architects, Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA; 319-363-6018; www.opnarchitects.com
Oudens Ello Architecture, LLC, Boston; 617-422-0980; www.oudens-ello.com
OZ Architecture, Denver; 303-861-5704; www.ozarch.com
P
PBK, Dallas; 972-233-1323; www.pbk.com
Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee, Raleigh, NC; 919-836-9751; pbclarchitecture.com
Pearson & Peters Architects, PLC, Lexington, KY; 859-233-1213; www.pparch.com
PGAL, Boca Raton, FL; 561-988-4002; PGAL.com
Precision Planning Inc., Lawrenceville, GA; 770-338-8000; www.ppi.us
pro forma architecture, Dallas; 972-713-7100; proforma-inc.com
Product Architecture + Design, Chicago; 773-278-0936; www.product-architects.com
R
Stephen Rankin Associates, Chicago; 312-899-0002; www.srankin.com
Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects, San Diego; 619-233-1023; www.rntarchitects.com/home.html
S
Safdie Rabines Architects, San Diego; 619-297-6153; www.safdierabines.com
Samaha Associates, Fairfax, VA; 703-691-3311; www.samaha-arch.com
Sapp Design Associates Architects, Springfield, MO; 417-877-9600; www.sdaarchitects.com
SEH, St. Paul; 651-490-2057; www.sehinc.com
Sen Architects, New York; 212-604-9522; senarchitects.com
Shepley Bulfinch, Boston; 617-423-1700; www.shepleybulfinch.com
SHKS Architects, Seattle; 206-675-9151; shksarchitects.com
SHW Group, Berkley, MI; 248-336-4700; www.shwgroup.com
Slattery & Associates Architects Planners Inc., Boca Raton, FL; 561-392-3848; www.slatteryarchitects.com
Smith Metzger Architects, Des Moines; 515-244-2111; smithmetzger.com
Snøhetta, New York; 646-383-4762; www.snoarc.no
Snowdon & Hopkins Architects, PC, Vail, CO; 970-476-2201; www.snowdonhopkins.com
Soderstrom Architects, Portland, OR; 503-228-5617; www.sdra.com
G. Bruce Stratton Architects, Toronto; 416-351-9145; www.strattonarchitects.com
StudioTechne, Cleveland; 216-791-4410; www.technearchitects.com
T
THA architecture Inc., Portland, OR; 503-227-1254; thaarchitecture.com
Toshiko Mori Architect, New York; 212-337-9644; TMARCH.com
U
URS Corporation, Cleveland; 216-622-2400; www.urscorp.com
V
Van Dyke Architects, Cleveland; 216-566-5455; vandykearchitects.com
VITETTA Group, Philadelphia; 215-218-4747; www.vitetta.com
W
Walker-Perez Associates, Brownsville, TX; 956-546-5511
WKU Architectural & Manufacturing Sciences Inst., Bowling Green, KY; 270-745-6302; wku.edu/artp/webpages/amsi.php