Design Trend: Home in the Community

As many have grown accustomed to spending more time at home, libraries continue to incorporate accessible, small-massed, and residential design elements. Buildings include vaulted roofs and window bump-outs; interiors feature plush carpeting, integrated display shelving in meeting rooms or small reading areas, and cozy fireplaces.

At the LaVale Library, MD, a pitched roof and wraparound curtain wall connect the Community Living Room to an outdoor seating area. CREDITS: Murphy & Dittenhafer, architect; Dave Romero, Vibrant Image, photo

The rooftop terrace at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Library, Eau Claire, WI, is accessed from the library’s art gallery and community meeting room and overlooks the Eau Claire River. CREDITS: MSR Design, architect; 2022 ©Corey Gaffer Photography LLC, photo

A small-motif pitched roof reading nook is built into the children’s play area at the Yorktown Library, VA, repeating the larger-scale design element on the building’s exterior. CREDITS: HBM Architects, architect; Ansel Olson, photo