Part of a complex of municipal buildings, the Rita & Truett Smith Central Public Library, Wylie, TX, includes along its south side a “Texas-sized porch” for shade and comfort and “spillage” for outdoor activities. CREDITS: Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture, architect; photo, Craig Blackmon/Blackink Photography.
The new Acton Agua Dulce Christopher Colombo Brevidoro Library, County of Los Angeles PL, has an elevated 925 square foot outdoor patio above a riprap system of stones that dissipates flood speed in the existing swale. CREDITS: Tetra IBI Group, architect; photo, Douglas Olson, Douglas Olson Photography.
The addition/remodel to the Oak Forest Neighborhood Library, Houston PL, TX, added 4000 square feet, for a total of 12,000 square feet. The midcentury brick and glass structure gained two extensions surrounding an outdoor deck with benches and mature trees. CREDITS: James Ray Architects, architect; photo, Teal Construction.
The Van Buren Public Library, AR, encompasses an entire city block that is naturally landscaped and irrigated; with exposed wood beams and structure and a screened-in porch reading area.
CREDITS: MAHG and MS&R, Ltd., architects; photo, Ken West Photography.
A design/build project, the Fallbrook Library, part of San Diego County Library, has an abundance of outdoor spaces, including the Reading Garden, with its undulating metal “artistic trellis” roof, designed by Chris Pardell. The library recently achieved LEED Silver Certification. CREDITS: Ferguson Pape Baldwin Architects, architect; photo, Frank Domin, Domin Photography.
About Bette-Lee Fox
