Library Buildings around the World

center of the plan, where interaction among faculty and researchers is encouraged. The character of the original building and the
picturesque nature of the expansion are in keeping with the traditions of Spanish mission architecture in Santa Barbara. Clay tile
roofs and stucco exterior walls are typical of the area. Wood trellises supporting climbing vines that screen the interior from the sun
reinforce the connection to the landscape. (Graves)
Martel College. Rice University, Houston, TX – USA 2002
Topeka & Swanee County Main Library, Topeka, KS – USA 1995 – 2001
Upon the 125th anniversary of its founding, the Main Library of Topeka and Shawnee County commissioned a total renovation of its
65,000-square-foot building built in the 1950s and an expansion of 100,000 square feet. New space is wrapped around the existing
structure, resulting in redesigned facades that integrate the new and old portions of the building and re-establish the Library’s
identity as one of Topeka’s most important public buildings. A three-story rotunda on axis with Washburn Street creates a new
public entrance facing public parking. Flanking the entrance are several community facilities, including a 360-seat auditorium, a
café, a bookstore, and a 3,500-square-foot art gallery. The circular lobby reinforces the communality of these amenities and leads to
the Topeka Room on the third level. Large circular skylights allow natural light to enter the building during the day and create a
monumental beacon when lit from within at night. Internally, the intersection of the building’s east-west and north-south axes is
distinguished by an atrium lit from above by a skylight. The atrium allows users to orient themselves within the Library and gain
access to the surrounding Adult Collections, Periodicals and Youth Services Departments. While each of these departments has its
own architectural identity, the openness of the plan allows flexibility for future program changes. On the north and west sides of the
building, adjacent to the large open spaces, intimate reading areas allow individuals to sit and read quietly by the windows. (Graves)
Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library , Alexandria, VA – USA 1996 – 1999
Brown and Jones Colleges. Rice University, Houston, TX – USA 1999
Denver Central Library, Denver, CO – USA 1991 – 1996
Denver Central Library, the eighth largest library in the U.S., is located on Civic Center Park between the city’s art museum and
history museum. The project encompassed a renovation of the existing 133,000-square-foot library, designed by Burnham Hoyt and
completed in 1956, and an expansion of 405,000 square feet. The scale and coloration of the expansion, as well as the individualized
massing of its components, allow the original library to maintain its own identity as one element of a larger composition. Two public
entrances establish an east-west axis through the Great Hall, a three-story vaulted public room of urban scale, which is the focal
point for visitor orientation and circulation. The south-facing rotunda contains specialized functional areas such as the reference
room and periodicals center, with the Western History Reading Room above. (Graves). Date: 1991-1995; Renovation 1996 Location:
Denver, Colorado, Size: 526,000 sf. , Studio Head: Thomas Rowe, Associated Architect: Klipp Colussy Jenks, DuBois Architects, PC
Clark County Library, Las Vegas, NV – USA 1994
Date: 1994. Location: Las Vegas, Nevada. Size: 120,000 sf. Studio Head: John Diebboll
Associated Architect: JMA Associates (JMA Associcates: (http://www.jma-arch.com)
The original 50,000-square-foot Flamingo Road Branch of the Clark County Library, constructed in 1968, had deteriorated signifi
cantly when MGA was hired in 1990 to design an expansion. The project ultimately included complete renovation of the existing
building and expansion on all sides, a strategy that simultaneously remedied the defi ciencies of the original structure and provided a
new exterior image. MGA’s plan expanded the library by 27,000 square feet and added a 43,000-square-foot community wing with a
400-seat thrust-stage theater. (Graves). Date: 1994. Location: Las Vegas, Nevada. Size: 120,000 sf. Studio Head: John Diebboll
Associated Architect: JMA Associates (JMA Assicates: http://www.jma-arch.com)
Barbara Goldsmith Rare Book Room. American Academy, Rome – Italy 1996
Gresham & Beach Architects, Tuscon, AR – USA
http://www.greshamandbeach.com
Libraries:
University of Arizona, The Integrated Learning Center, Tuscon, AR – 2001
114.000 sqf., $ 20.800.000
Awards:
2002 American School & University 20th Anniversary Architectural Portfolio, The Integrated Learning Center at the University of
Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
The Integrated Learning Center is a below-grade academic facility for freshmen students that incorporates the latest digital-learning
technologies. Situated in the center of the University of Arizona’s mall, the site was chosen so that freshmen would feel more
involved in daily university life. The building has an information commons, 300 – 150-seat theaters, two lecture halls, classrooms and
administrative offices. The information commons connects to the lowest level of the main library in a series of five separate “trays.”
Sunlight streaming into the information commons from the main entry stair is diffused by fritted, low-e green glass. The central
courtyard also provides natural light and offers a flexible gathering space for spontaneous interaction or planned functions.
Materials such as red brick and mill-finished aluminum were chosen to complement surrounding campus structures.
( http://schooldsigns.com )
Grimm + Parker Architects, Calverton, MD – USA
Grimm + Parker Architects has recently planned and designed over 20 public libraries. With over 16 years of award-winning public
library experience, combined with over 36 years of public architecture experience, our team is especially qualified to provide high
quality library design services.
We are abreast of the latest trends in library services and technologies. We share our specialized knowledge and expertise in library
furnishings, library lighting, library acoustics, and library technologies with our clients. Our award-winning library designs are not
only attractive and inspiring, but highly functional, user friendly, easy to maintain, and cost-effective. Our extensive library
experience allows us to share valuable insights into state-of-the-art library design and construction with our clients. We have
developed expertise on issues such as construction costs, operating costs, mechanical systems, maintenance concerns, energy
consumption, technology integration, and library security systems.
This expertise allows us to design public libraries that can be built both on time and within a client’s specified budget with few
construction changes. We have worked closely with library boards, library staff, and Friends of the Library in numerous library
systems to help them achieve their visions for their systems. (Grimm)
http://www.grimmandparker.com
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