Future Twin Oaks
Library Takes Shape

Architects' design responds to many neighborhood resident inputs

Following resident input gatherings earlier this year, architectural firm Hatch & Ulland Owen submitted these ilustrations and explanations describing the thoughts and inputs that guided their design. While the modern, shed roof exterior seems to pay no recognition to the largely 30s era bungalow style single family residences that predominate and define the neighborhood, the architects seem to have paid great attention to the interior materials and spaces, as well as to defining thoughtful exterior spaces on the site. Here's the architects' description.--Cory walton

With this design we were trying to create a fun, eclectic building with a central “living room” that all the other spaces feed off. An early phrase with the neighborhood was “eclectic circus.”

The main entrance addresses the corner at 5th and Mary. Pedestrians approach the library from this corner and pass under twin oaks as they walk across the public courtyard. The tall entrance structure is meant as a beacon in the neighborhood – suspended within this tall vertical space is an elaborate art piece designed by Stephanie strange. This art will be seen from many sides.

The interior will be filled with fun and eclectic colors, textures and materials, such as, the entrance to the children’s room is through a funky little house made of resin panels – almost like candy.

From the children’s and teen room there is an entrance into a private reading garden. The “living room” has a doorway to a rear reading porch that overlooks an amphitheater for children reading times.

On the exterior we tried to break up the mass of a required 10,000 foot library into more manageable pieces. The different pieces are made of different materials to reflect the different uses of the spaces. The community room is made of a dark rich brick. The children and teen rooms are made of a light colored stone to pay tribute to the stone house across the street. The main library volume is of stucco as is the rear office areas. This main room is a deep purple stucco at the larger entrance portion and a orange color for the “living room” the back of house (offices) is a light green color stucco.

We tried really hard to make the building as green as possible and as low maintenance as possible. The roofs are SIP (structural insulated panels) through out. The low pitch kid’s rooms that face Mary Street will be covered completely in solar panels. We have included rainwater collection for irrigation. The interior lighting will have daylight control so that lights will turn off on bright sunny days.

Last, but not least, is the generous neighborhood park what we will be providing. It is currently completely paved in asphalt. We will remove the asphalt and provide a green space for the community.

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