A former Food Lion is now the Bedford Public Library, TX, with curved walls and ceilings and glass that changes color. CREDITS: Hidell & Associates Architects, architect; photo, Patrick Coulie.
A joint project of Phoenix PL and South Mountain Community College, South Mountain Community Library, Phoenix, treats its teens to a space surrounded by translucent walls and arresting sculptural panels. CREDITS: richärd + bauer, architect; photo, Mark Boisclair.
The remodeled Tempe Public Library, AZ, has 110 public access computers, including a “Family Computing” area. CREDITS: Engberg Anderson, architect; photo, Okland Construction.
A 1901 building melds with its 1984 addition at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library, Dubuque, IA, as the unused mezzanine was repurposed into a show-stopping elevated reading lounge. CREDITS: OPN Architects, Inc., architect; photo, ©Wayne Johnson, Main Street Studio.
Diner-style booths complement the teen space at the Scotts Valley Branch Library, CA, which also features solar tubes and skylights for natural light and a cushioned story time platform. CREDITS: Group 4 Architecture, Research + Planning, Inc., Architect; photo Technical Imagery Studios.
The Pleasant Grove Branch Library of the Dallas Public Library serves a diverse community through its more than 20,000 square foot open plan. Targeting LEED Silver certification, the building includes large areas of glass to optimize natural daylight, while wheat board in built-in desks and shelving and end panels eliminate tree harvesting. CREDITS: Hidell & Associates Architects, architect; photo, Patrick Coulie.
About Bette-Lee Fox
[...] I was very impressed how a community came together to revitalize their library. This project is a proof of the power a community has when energized. The journey for rebuilding the library can be found from Grace Under Pressure, Big Box Transformed, and SECO‘s stimulus to Bedford Library. The library has been showcased on Year in Architecture 2011: Wall-to-Wall Wonders. [...]