Library Buildings around the World

and new reference and circulation areas. The branch will have 14 new computers, flexible expansion and 30% more collection
capacity. Site renovations include an additional 16 parking stalls, storm water bioswale, botanical garden path and compliant ADA
accessible entrances. (M2A)
Silver Lake Branch Library, Los Angeles CA – USA 2009
Serving as a gateway to the community, the Silver Lake Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library seeks to carve out a corner at a
busy intersection with a channel glass spine to create a public plaza, which embraces the larger community and creates a welcome
backdrop for the primary literary and social gathering functions of the building. The plaza, raised above the adjacent street,
incorporates traditional references to the ascent to knowledge while creating a gathering place previously non-existent within this
community. The fully glazed reading room and a glass garden dematerializes the definition between interior and exterior space,
opening up this “living room space” to the plaza. The central spine also brings natural light into the center of the building and, with
its photovoltaic skylight helps the facility attain its LEED Gold certification. A continuous clerestory window around the building
allows the roof plane to float above the stacks bringing in natural light and affording views of the adjacent hills and sky. The split
level design incorporates the subterranean garage while opening the Multi-purpose room at the plaza level for a clear connection to
the street, book fairs and other community activities. (M2A)
Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library, Renovation, Highland Park, CA - USA 2003
Awards:
Highland Park Heritage Trust, 2004 Award of Merit
The project design reflects the community of Highland Park and the Highland Park Heritage Trust’s great pride in its wealth of
historic turn of the century Mission and Craftsman style civic and residential structures. The site is located on a triangular portion
of the park at the intersection of Figueroa Street and Piedmont Avenue and the 14,000 sq. ft. facility replaces the 10,200 sq. ft.
library built in 1960. The project includes a large wall mural painted by the artist, Luis Becerra, which was relocated from the
original building to a prominent location directly opposite the rear entrance. The new facility continues this tradition by utilizing
indigenous arroyo stone and brick materials and traditional building forms, volumes and details. At the triangular corner, a thirtyfive
foot high stone tower announces the library location and frames the low entry vestibule. From this low entry, a simple and
traditional, large open reading room with heavy timber wood trusses is sited along the street wall on Figueroa Street. Along this
street a long massive stone “garden” wall punctuated by a variety of window openings and bay windows reflects the craftsman
tradition represented by stone buildings and separates the busy street from the quiet of the inside functions. Inside, the adult,
reference and teen reading room is organized around a central axis, which terminates in a large bay overlooking the adjacent park.
A variety of various bays, alcoves and mezzanine reading rooms provide outside vistas and intimate seating areas for the patrons.
Small book alcoves along the outside walls interrupted by chance views, give an immediacy to the book collection while orienting the
people back to the surrounding outer world. New computer tables share the central space with traditional reading tables. The
separate children's reading room features a skylight filtering down and a private storytelling area set in a large bay element which
overlook a landscaped garden area of the park. Facing the corner and reminiscent of the original Carnegie library is a large circular
trellis structure, dark brick wainscot, and decorative iron balcony leading to the public meeting room and Friend’s Bookroom.
(M2A)
North Hollywood Regional Branch Library, North Hollywood, CA – USA 2002
Awards:
California Preservation Foundation, 2004 Preservation Design Award
State of California, 2003 Governor's Award
Los Angeles Conservancy, 2003 Preservation Award
Publications:
Clean, Well-Lighted, Los Angeles Time Magazine, July 13, 2003
The North Hollywood Amelia M. Earhart Regional Branch Library is located at the intersection of Tujunga Avenue and Magnolia
Avenue occupying a rectangular lot at the corner of the North Hollywood Park. The original facility is a single story brick building
in the Spanish Colonial Revival style of approximately 4,300 square feet, designed by Weston & Weston Architects. It was built in
1930 as one of several branches funded by revenue bonds voted by the citizens of Los Angeles in the 1920's. In 1956, an extensive
addition in the same style by John Landon increased the library area to approximately 12,500 square feet. In 1984, the 1930's URM
building was seismically reinforced to Division 88 standards. This project incorporates a second addition of approximately 2,500
square feet and the addition of new parking areas. The 1930's portion of the facility is a clerestory volume with seven multi-pane
windows centered over the entry. The clerestory has a shallow hip roof of red Spanish tile and two chimneys at the south end. On the
south and east sides, a second tile roof below the clerestory windows extend over offices and a porch that asymmetrically covers
three-quarters of the front. The porch roof is supported by a row of stylized concrete columns and capitals resting on a two-foot high
concrete wall finished by a brick course. Entry is through a small rectangular vestibule, decorated with wrought iron gates, grilles,
and Mexican tile. Doors of oak and leaded glass lead into the circulation and adult reading area with open wood trusses and a
fireplace at the south end. The 1956 addition encompasses the existing reference area, staff area and children's area and matches the
original exposed brickwork, clay tile roof and exterior detailing. (M2A)
John C. Fremont Library, Renovation, Los Angeles, CA – USA 1996
Awards:
Los Angeles Conservancy, 1997 Preservation Award, City of Los Angeles, Historic Preservation Award of Excellence
M2A completed the rehabilitation, seismic upgrade, and 2,000 sq. ft. addition to this historic branch library. All work on this Los
Angeles Cultural Monument No. 303, constructed circa 1927, was designed to meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards.
Organized around a new entry/reading court, the existing library and new support and community spaces are fully accessible. A new
entry "drum", separated from the existing structure by skylights, leads into the restored reading room complete with truss ceilings,
fireplace and recreated chandeliers. Original stenciling was restored; original colors were researched and recreated. A new
landscaped parking lot integrates existing trees to maintain the context of the residential neighborhood. The completed project was
the recipient of a 1997 Design Award from the Los Angeles Conservancy. (M2A)
Pico-Union Branch Library, Renovation, Los Angeles CA – USA 1993
Awards:
City of Los Angeles, Cultural Affairs Commission, 2003 Architectural Excellence Award
Located within the historic Pico-Union neighborhood, the community requested that the building design respond to the turn of the
century building type and style predominant throughout their area. The design recreates a Carnegie Library prototype with
traditional reading rooms set behind a formal monumental brick and clay tile building form. The building is set back from the dense
street trees with a decorative plaza and formal stairs leading to an arched entry porch. The facade features a triple arched entry
porch at the center of the main mass and smaller decorative view windows at the axis of each room. On the interior a lobby leads
through arches to a traditional book lined main reading space with a large central skylight and built-in computer work carrels.
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