Kenmore Library in Washington by Weinstein A|U (designed using Vectorworks)

Article source: Weinstein A|U

The Kenmore Library serves a suburban community largely bypassed by recent redevelopment. Located in an emerging downtown core that is a mix of 1960s retail buildings, surface parking, and a busy highway, the library responds to needs for community space and integration of public and commercial uses.

North View (Images Courtesy Lara Swimmer)

• Architect: Weinstein A|U
• Name of Project: Kenmore Library
• Location: Kenmore, Washington, USA
• Design Team: Matt Aalfs,AIA,  Ed Weinstein, FAIA
• Size: 19,000 sf
• Photographs: Lara Swimmer
• Software used: Vectorworks 2008 for documentation and 3d modeling

Entry (Images Courtesy Lara Swimmer)

• Project Year: 2007-2011
• Collaborators
  • Client: King County Library System
  • Landscape: Swift Company LLC
  • Structural: Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA)
  • Civil: Springline Design LLC
  • MEP: WSP Flack & Kurtz
  • Interiors: Weinstein A|U
  • Contractor: Sierra Construction
• Materials / Products
  • Masonry: Endicott, Mutual Materials
  • Wood Siding: TerraMai reclaimed teak
  • Wood Panels: 9Wood linear wood panels
  • Carpet: Milliken
  • Casework: Paperstone (50 to 100% post-consumer recycled paper and petroleum-free resin), Appleply veneer plywood
  • Storefront: Kawneer
  • Steel Trusses: Macalloy Bar and Cable Systems
  • Acoustic Panels: Hunter Douglas TechStyle

Entry (Images Courtesy Lara Swimmer)

To accommodate changes in the continuing evolution of library services, the library design provides a flexible, interconnected, and adaptable floor plan, with minimal fixed obstructions limiting internal organization. As a gesture of civic inclusiveness, the reading room is transparent and open, with continuous glazing on the public facades and a delicate tension-rod roof truss system which clear-spans the 75’ x 90’ space. Optimum solar orientation and central skylights fill the reading room with balanced and diffused natural light. Relatively solid enclosures of brick and wood at either end of the reading room contain library support functions and private study areas. A raised floor system provides HVAC, power, and data distribution, with public artwork integrated into the floor cavity. Extensive daylighting, LED fixtures, reclaimed wood, and regionally-sourced materials and furniture contribute to sustainability goals.

Entry (Images Courtesy Lara Swimmer)

In response to local aspirations for a pedestrian-friendly downtown, the library connects to the street with an entry plaza and submerges parking beneath the building. Parallel to the street, the library extends to the property line, anticipating future party-walls.  A garden of native plants and sculpted landforms buffers the reading room from the highway, providing rainwater infiltration that reduces surface run-off into nearby Lake Washington.

South View (Images Courtesy Lara Swimmer)

View from South (Images Courtesy Lara Swimmer)

Reading (Images Courtesy Lara Swimmer)

Truss (Images Courtesy Lara Swimmer)

Reading (Images Courtesy Lara Swimmer)

Reading (Images Courtesy Lara Swimmer)

Reading (Images Courtesy Lara Swimmer)

Childrens (Images Courtesy Lara Swimmer)

Meeting (Images Courtesy Lara Swimmer)

North View (Images Courtesy Lara Swimmer)

Tags: Kenmore, Washington

Categories: Library, Vectorworks

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 15th, 2011 at 5:52 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.