Title: Richland Library Ballentine
Location of Proejct: Irmo, South Carolina
Project Completion Date: 6/12/17
Firm Name: Liollio Architecture

Short Description: This suburban public library creates a wooded escape, to support an active local community of artists and craftspeople. The library provides a connection to the outdoors that includes an artist’s corner for quiet, meditative work surrounded by nature. The central public space is seen as a living room, a linear space which is oriented away from civilization and culminates in a framed view of an undeveloped woodscape. The living room is punctuated by three public art works, including a wisteria tree which drapes playfully over a children’s reading area – crocheted by library patrons.

Architect's Statement: Sited on seven wooded acres, this branch replaces a 2,300sf storefront, in a community that adores its library. The library system piloted the concept of Library as Studio, and the design program explores this idea through the pathways of public engagement, activity-based programming, and developing a character that is unique to the community it serves.

Community Conversations revealed a strong identity of art, craft, and connection to nature. The sloped, wooded site and the desire to create a refuge that is interconnected with the outdoors generated the concept of a treehouse library.

A simple box form and restrained material palette help the library recede into the landscape and also affords the investment of resources in a dramatic interior experience. Inside, a sculpted wood ceiling expands toward the focal point of the north-facing wood view. Richly patterned materials in both finishes and furnishings reference the visual textures of the lake cabin community, and the passion for craft. Three public art works were commissioned, including a wisteria tree which drapes playfully over a children’s reading area – crocheted by library patrons. Colorful gauze memory boxes dance near the back porch, holding favorite family photos. The third work is a commissioned abstract painting, located between tutor rooms.

Service design was approached with as much intention as the architecture and collections, and the client desired that customers enter into a comfortable family space, rather than a large circulation desk. This community living room serves as a nucleus – connecting to small collaboration rooms, an expansive back patio, the meeting room, and the spine of collections stretching back to the woods view. A night sky ceiling with clusters of tiny lights subtly references the connection to nature, and evenings spent around a campfire.

Activity-based programming is a counterpoint to programming for inventory (collections and furniture). Libraries must be flexible over time, but also throughout a week and even throughout a single day. A completely open approach to defining space with furnishings makes the library eminently adaptable. Inspired by the charge to have zero dark spaces, the design imagines a raised platform as storytime area, puppet show performance, gross-motor development for climbing toddlers, and a stage for poetry slams, one-act plays, and quartet performances during an art opening. The flexible meeting room provides gathering spaces, but also after-school tutoring, and has large sliding doors to open to the library for expanded events. An artist’s corner anchors the maker space classroom with a spot for quiet, meditative, work surrounded by outdoor views. A gaming area for teens becomes a web-conference hub for small business entrepreneurs during the day. And the outdoor back deck includes a large wall for projecting moving nights, space for outdoor yoga, and lounge furniture for knitting circles and book clubs.

The staff area is organized around collaborative work environments, supported by privacy nooks and a socializing retreat for break time. A drive-up service window – a beloved asset for this commuter community – allows holds pickup and returns, without needing to be separately staffed.