Title: Neva Lomason Memorial Library
Location of Proejct: Carrollton, Georgia
Project Completion Date: May 2020
Firm Name: RAD, Rickman Architecture + Design

Short Description: The Neva Lomason Memorial Library is an existing 28,000 SF facility that serves the community of Carrollton, Georgia. In 2018 the library was in need of a complete renovation inside and out and the architecture firm, along with a team of contractors, engineers and city officials teamed up to provide this new facility with a completely new facade treatment, canopies, circulation flow, children's space, utilities, lighting and many more design attributes. The result is a modern aesthetic with simple, thoughtful and intentional circulation flow that provides natural lighting along the way.

Architect's Statement: Libraries are cornerstones of healthy community. More than storage for books, libraries offer educational materials to everyone; they are safe havens for homeless and underserved populations; they offer a variety of programs for community, professional, and personal development; and they preserve local history and steward truth.

Together with officials from the city of Carrollton and the community-at-large, the architecture firm designed the Neva Lomason Memorial Library in downtown Carrollton, GA to be a hub of connection. Flooded with natural light, the Neva Lomason Library balances uncluttered open spaces that invite relationship and enclosed private spaces for quiet study. This library will be a vibrant community center for years to come.

Rich with many additions/renovations over the years (last count was at 7!), this 28,000 SF existing library lacked in natural lighting, proper public circulation flow, accessibility, children's spaces and energy efficient design strategies. Public access and circulation flow was the initial design driver when the architecture firm first began absorbing community input and user preferences. From there, all circulation paths would then lead to views that terminate into natural lighting throughout the entire layout. Natural lighting balanced with new LED lighting strategies were introduced, along with all new mechanical & electrical systems that upgrade this existing library to a more energy efficient and responsible building. Access to outdoor public circulation and community spaces was non-existent in the previous layout. The architecture firm implemented a new avenue of circulation that slices through the building, providing a connection between parking lot access and main street sidewalks and public trails. The result is a steel, modern, cantilevered canopy on the exterior of both sides of the building with wood ceilings that reveal itself on the exterior but peels inside along the avenue of circulation to guide the public along a defined path and directional lighting.