Library

Located along Connecticut Avenue, one of Northwest Washington DC’s main thoroughfares, the new Cleveland Park Library replaces a beloved but outdated community building. In collaboration with Perkins Eastman DC, the District of Columbia Public Library, and local community members, Perkins Eastman helped to design a modern multi-functional library that includes children’s and adult collections, flexible meeting rooms, and study spaces of all sizes. Copyright Joseph Romeo Courtsey Perkins Eastman Copyright Joseph Romeo Courtsey Perkins Eastman Copyright Joseph Romeo Courtsey Perkins Eastman Copyright Joseph Romeo Courtsey Perkins Eastman Copyright Joseph Romeo Courtsey Perkins Eastman  The new facili... More

The Morgan Library is the result of successive additions that have shaped the complex over time, from its original construction in 1906 as a private library to its later expansion, opening to the public, and incorporation of adjacent buildings. With the intervention by Renzo Piano and the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the ensemble achieved new spatial and functional coherence through the introduction of three new volumes and a central underground space connecting the different buildings. This large piazza, located seventeen meters below street level, allows the historic structures to interact, bringing natural light into the interiors through the glazed entrance on Fifth Avenue and transforming the complex into a contemporary cultural hub.... More

The Gosford Regional Library has been designed to generate a civic presence within the Civic Heart of Gosford, directly addressing the public space of Kibble Park. Kibble Park itself serves the symbolic role of ‘Town Square’, and the new Library will in turn symbolically act as a ‘Town Hall’. Brett Boardman Brett Boardman As a public building, Lahznimmo Architects believed it was important to create a link between the new Library and Kibble Park by drawing the public domain of the park into the building and creating a semi-outdoors landscaped forecourt within the site. This space is named the ‘Neighbourhood Room’, a covered space that connects three levels of the building and provides a weather... More

"Light" is the origin of enlightenment, the source of truth. It spills from the heavens, coalescing at the heart of the library, forming rings of knowledge that ripple outwards like concentric circles. Design Action This light not only illuminates every corner of the space but also symbolizes the wisdom and revelation bestowed by the divine, guiding students to find their direction within the vast sea of books. The beams extend outwards in layers, like ripples, reshaping the library's contours and redefining the meaning of learning—knowledge is like an endless circle, perpetually cycling and growing richer, allowing every student who enters this place to draw nourishment under its guidance, to ignite their future, and to find th... More

The river of knowledge flows gently and continuously, winding through depths and twists, as if countless streams converge to weave a vast river of wisdom. Shelves meander like riverbanks, filled with abundant collections, cleverly dividing space to weave a three-dimensional map of learning for students. Design Action On the river's surface, a small boat stands quietly—its bookshelf shaped like a sail billowing in the wind—symbolizing students embarking on a journey of knowledge, riding the winds and breaking waves. The boat glides slowly through the shimmering sea of books, guiding every seeker to navigate freely through the torrent of knowledge, seeking that inspiring shore within their hearts. Design Action Desig... More

The building of P. O. Hviezdoslav Regional Library consists of three protected townhouses. AlexShootsBuildings The palace-like scale of the main halls, was one of the key realizations in the design process. Rather than filling this impressive volume with shelves, we sought a solution that preserves the spatial experience. AlexShootsBuildings The need to avoid barriers to natural light also implies longitudinal arrangement of shelves on all floors. Combined with slender white shelving, this approach ensures an airy, light-filled environment. AlexShootsBuildings We propose a gradient densification of the space with shelving, from bottom to top.  The ground floor supports diverse user activities, fostering community life... More

Haksanjae is a private library designed to accommodate approximately 10,000 volumes. In addition to the collection space, it includes a workspace for writing and lecturing, as well as a modest residential component for occasional stays. The client, a former university professor of history, sought a space in which to house an extensive personal book collection following retirement. Jaewoo Lee Jaewoo Lee Jaewoo Lee Jaewoo Lee Two sides of the site are surrounded by high retaining walls, while the eastern and southern peripheries open toward a dramatic natural backdrop of mountains. The buildings are arranged along the perimeter, framing a central courtyard that feels both protected and secluded. This inward-facing configu... More

Opened in 1888, the Latin School is one of the oldest private schools in the city of Chicago, and is widely recognized for its rigorous college-preparatory education in the classical tradition. In 2017, the institution looked into the possibility of updating its existing facilities for more flexible programming and modernized amenities.   Caption Previously the space had been divided in two: a cafeteria and a library. We combined the space and designed a multi-level, convertible space now called the Learning Commons. There are movable glass partition walls, large collaboration areas, six enclosed study areas, two offices, a writing lab, two small classrooms, a maker space, and reconfigurable moveable furniture throughout. Our tea... More

Games, gatherings, gimlets. The family wanted a space where they could have fun, host casual get togethers and have family game nights. It’s a space to kick back and enjoy. JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD More

Nestled amidst the historical enchantment of Prague, the architectural masterpiece that is the Czech National Library stands as a testament to the profound connection between history, literature, and the serene allure of an architectural garden. Rooted in the rich tapestry of Prague’s past, this library transcends the conventional notions of a repository of books. It is a living tribute to the city’s cultural heritage, where every architectural detail echoes the whispers of history and invites visitors into a calm haven for intellectual exploration. Caption The Czech National Library unfolds as a literary sanctuary within a city park, its architectural design seamlessly blending the realms of literature and nature. Here, t... More

Located at 4000 W North Avenue in Humboldt Park. The site sits on the corner of W North Avenue and N Pulaski Road and is made up of the landmarked Pioneer Trust and Savings Bank along with its .75-acre parking lot tothe north. JGMA Team Pioneros, is the result of a design concept envisioned by JGMA and led by Park Row Development in collaboration with multiple firms making up the 100 percent Latino-owned team. JGMA envisions the new building as a continuation of the existing bank building highlighting the future of the neighborhood meant to be experienced from all sides with a multi-colored facade. JGMA Restoring the bank building into a center for Latino commerce would be the first goal of the project, to do this JGMA proposes... More

The building of the Padre Moreau Library housed one of the first spaces intended for education at Santa Maria school, built in the 1950s, the building underwent several modifications and a major renovation in the 1990s so that it could house a library. More than two decades later, the need to renew the space where children and teenagers meet the world of literature and the use of digital media as a research tool for the formation of critical readers has arisen. The project was a finalist in the Panamerican Award at the XXIII edition of the Panamerican Biennial of Architecture of Quito, held in November 2022 in Ecuador. Manuel Sá Manuel Sá Manuel Sá Manuel Sá The library is strategically inser... More

Town halls or community halls are pivotal spaces within a community, serving as the heart of social and cultural activities, and bring people together for a myriad of events. As architectural symbols of community identity, town halls often embody the values and aspirations of the residents they serve, fostering a sense of belonging and connection among community members, enriching the social fabric and promoting civic engagement. Aakash Patel Aakash Patel Aakash Patel Dahegam Town Hall, conceived by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), with an aim to serving the outlying areas of the city, is designed to host a spectrum of communal activities – from social gatherings, performances, and training sessions to... More