Birchard Public Library Addition and Renovations
Type of Construction
CMaR
Square Footage
8,890
Construction Budget
$5,800,000
This exciting project involves establishing a relationship with a new client and carefully listening to their needs, wants and desires, communicating back creative solutions and repeating the process until a solution was developed that met the needs of the client. Design started out with creating a new front entrance to a public edifice that really lacked a sense of a front door, improving circulation through the library and adding accessible public toilet amenities.
The original building and the last major addition were so efficiently and compactly placed onto a rolling hill side that new buildable area was practically nonexistent. Various design schemes were developed but none seemed to successfully address the design challenge of creating the new entry experience. Finally, after exhausting a number of potential alternatives, it became clearly evident and logical to explore a new direction with a new set of parameters. This could not have happened without the exhaustive designs produced, clearly indicating that the original concept was not achievable.
The new and successful scheme involved the vacating of a public street and allowing the library to expand to property which it already owned, by the library to the west. Here there was opportunity for growth, expanded parking facilities, a new and highly visible main entrance with a ceremonial celebration of entry, improved circulation and accessible amenities both inside and out.
Myriad architectural services were employed here, from establishing existing floor plans, general planning and design, conducting informative public and private meetings, reviewing local zoning codes and parking requirements. As the project was expanded and in order to gain supportive acceptance from the staff, the staff members were interviewed seeking their thoughts and imputes to be sure that operations which they were involved in could run smoothly and efficiently. Preliminary cost estimates were developed assisting in the decision-making process.
With the new direction in scope came a new scope of opportunities. A new defined larger public lobby space, circulation desk and related backroom activities, technology areas, classroom space and offices on the first floor. New children’s library is separate from the adult sections, children’s librarians’ office, teen room, small and large group study spaces and a Wi-Fi lounge café on the second floor.
