Phoenix, Arizona
client: Maricopa County Community College District
completion: 6/2011 new community library, 1/2012 LRC renovation
size: 51,000 SF new, 22,000 SF renovation
cost: $21.6M construction
delivery method: CMAR
architect: richard+bauer
contractor: Haydon Construction Co.
relevant services:
- Program verification
- Library planning
- Charrette participation
- Interior Millwork basic design drawings
- Interior Finish selections + specifications
- FF+E Selection + Specifications
awards/certification:
- 2013 AIA/ALA Award of Excellence
- 2012 Library Journal New Landmark Library
- 2012 IIDA PRIDE Education Design Excellence Award
- 2012 IIDA PRIDE Public Merit Award
- 2012 Valley Forward Crescordia Award: Institutional
- 2012 Valley Forward Crescordia Award: Civic
This new 51,000 SF facility combines the functions of a modern public library with the components of a state-of-the-art central campus library. The library includes a 200-seat multi-functional meeting room, conference and multimedia broadcasting center, collaborative classrooms, computer center, quiet and interaction rooms, as well as all the components of both public and academic libraries.
The library is a combination of functions, serving as a public library and academic community college library. This represents pragmatic and cultural differences that deviate from typical design strategies. Functionally, the building must change due to the merging of catalogs and operating systems of academia and public entities. Above all, the user groups vary ideologically — the student working towards a degree versus the casual library patron. The same library houses a children’s area and academic reference volumes. The goal is to promote interaction and connection between the seemingly disparate user groups.
