Without looking back, we can’t move forward. Books are a living example of this. Books document the past so that we can learn from success and failure and have a context to create future progress. For the design of TCCL’s new library branches, we also started by looking back. We looked at the heritage of each community, the successful programs TCCL has developed, and the timelessness of the Central Library’s design.
Books will always be a symbol for libraries even as the function and amenities of libraries change. The design for the exterior facade abstracts this idea with a roofline that angles into a form reminiscent of an open book sitting atop a travertine marble and glass façade inspired by the clean, modern lines of the Central Library. And, though libraries are synonymous with books, a library’s importance has less to do with the books contained within than the ideas, inspiration, and knowledge they spread outward into their communities. The large glass façade simultaneously creates views outward while also allowing the community to see inward to the excitement and energy within the space.
With increased collection sizes at each location, the new locations will leave ample room on the interior for flexible meeting rooms, collaboration spaces, tech hubs, and an adaptable community room that will cater to the specific needs of the given community and be unique to the location. These spaces will help TCCL enhance their already vibrant programming and allow the community to engage with the library in all new ways whether it’s as part of a large formal event or informally lounging while casually flipping through a book.
As we look toward what library trends will win out over the next century, we only need to look back to see that enduring design is defined by the ability of a space to adapt and change with the decades. The design for these libraries will bring modern amenities and trending services to their communities, but timeless materiality, open floor plans, and deeply rooted connections to their communities will allow these spaces to continue to change beyond the trends of today and remain relevant as the heart of their community for years to come.
