The Grauwyler Park Branch Library, at only 12,500 s.f., is Dallas’ smallest programmed new branch facility. The site, hemmed in by setbacks, a curving utility easement, and a city park, determined the footprint of the building. The residual layout is compact, efficient, and simple. Parking is shared with the park and connected to its trails.
The library acts as a gateway between the two, with a clock tower as a prominent marker, integrating its community and the park. The common public portion of the library opens up to the wooded park offering expansive views, and the “back of house” areas zone to the street edges. Decking extends to shade areas of full height glazing and vertical metal sunscreens block low afternoon sunlight. The library is LEED Silver rated.
The Grauwyler Park Branch Library, at only 12,500 s.f., is Dallas’ smallest programmed new branch facility. The site, hemmed in by setbacks, a curving utility easement, and a city park, determined the footprint of the building. The residual layout is compact, efficient, and simple. Parking is shared with the park and connected to its trails.
The library acts as a gateway between the two, with a clock tower as a prominent marker, integrating its community and the park. The common public portion of the library opens up to the wooded park offering expansive views, and the “back of house” areas zone to the street edges. Decking extends to shade areas of full height glazing and vertical metal sunscreens block low afternoon sunlight. The library is LEED Silver rated.
The plan of the library is arranged so that all areas have natural light and views. The centrally located check-out/information desk, on axis with the single point of entry, allows for efficient staff supervision. The desk is also located directly under a clerestory skylight to give prominence to this area with optimal.
Materials, such as the wood decking and beams, were chosen to give warmth to the space but also to be durable and to meet sustainable LEED criteria.
Bookshelves near the information desk are held to a lower height and run parallel for ease of supervision, and to highlight views to the adjacent park.
An emphasis was placed on making each user-group's area of the library distinct, while still maintaining an overall image and easily supervised space. This was done through the use of differing, but coordinating carpets, paints, wall coverings, furnishings, and fabrics.
The result is a widely-used, enduring facility that is appropriate to and appreciated by both the community and the librarians and staff who call this branch their home.
Grauwyler Park Branch Library