California’s El Centro community, about two hours east of San Diego, recently opened a new $17 million public library. With design by Ferguson Pape Baldwin Architects and engineering services by Latitude 33 Planning & Engineering, the 19,811-sf building replaces the previous library, which was built in the early 1900s, damaged by a 7.2 earthquake that struck Baja California in 2010, and demolished in 2016.
The new library features a two-story, 1,000-sf lobby that can be entered from both the front road and the parking lot, facilitating access for both patron vehicles and public transportation. On opposite sides of the building are two outdoor, shaded patios: a 500-sf reading patio with access from the adult area and homework center, and a 1,600-sf patio that serves as overflow space from the community room. The library also includes a computer area, study rooms, bookstore, and age-specific reading areas for children, teens, and adults.
Following engagement with community members, the design team incorporated elements that reflect the region’s topography. These features include rock fences, perforated shade canopies that resemble the patchwork pattern of local agricultural fields, and colors and textures that evoke the canyon walls of the Painted George, 25 miles west of El Centro. The children’s area has the look and feel of an archaeological dig site.
The design team also incorporated sustainable strategies such as optimized building insulation, high-performance glazing, and energy-efficient mechanical and lighting systems.
“This space will be a regional beacon that will provide enrichment, learning, and a context for community building for generations to come,” Justin R. Giles, PE, associate with Latitude 33, said in a statement.
On the Building Team:
Owner: City of El Centro
Design architect and architect of record: Ferguson Pape Baldwin Architects
Engineering services: Latitude 33 Planning & Engineering
Landscape architect: Spurlock Landscape Architects
MEP engineer: GLUMAC
Structural engineer: Wiseman & Rohy
General contractor/construction manager: Barnhart-Reese Construction
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Harvard Public Library
Harvard, Mass.
Five years ago, the town of Harvard, Mass., which lies about 30 miles west of Boston, faced two problems. First, its iconic public schoolhouse, known as Old Bromfield, which was built in 1877, had become outdated. So, too, had its public library, which had no room to grow on its site.
| Aug 11, 2010
Gilbane, Whiting-Turner among nation's largest university contractors, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 50 University Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit /giants
| Aug 11, 2010
AASHE releases annual review of sustainability in higher education
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) has announced the release of AASHE Digest 2008, which documents the continued rapid growth of campus sustainability in the U.S. and Canada. The 356-page report, available as a free download on the AASHE website, includes over 1,350 stories that appeared in the weekly AASHE Bulletin last year.
| Aug 11, 2010
Burt Hill, HOK top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 100 largest university design firms
A ranking of the Top 100 University Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, HDR top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 100 largest institutional building design firms
A ranking of the Top 100 Institutional Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
College uses renewable materials in new library
A 93,000-sf Library and Academic Resource Center will replace Los Angeles Valley College's 1960s-vintage library. Pfeiffer Partners Architects designed the building to be consistent with the college's master plan, with its learning clusters and arcade circulation system. To obtain LEED certification, the center will use recycled and renewable materials, such as bamboo.
| Aug 11, 2010
Northeast Lakeview College opens in Texas, to serve 15,000 students
After four years of construction, Northeast Lakeview College, the newest addition to Alamo Colleges, is complete. Designed by Overland Partners Architects in collaboration with Ford Powell & Carson, the nine-building, 285-acre campus in Universal City, near San Antonio, will serve up to 15,000 students.
