Title: Pine Valley Branch Library
Location of Proejct: Wilmington, NC
Project Completion Date: Fall 2019
Firm Name: VINES architecture

Short Description: Located behind a single-story shopping center, the 20,000 sf Pine Valley Library transforms what could be considered an undesirable site, into a vibrant community destination. The raised corner announces the building’s presence as a contrast to the long horizontal shopping center, and once inside a large opening refocuses patrons towards the lush surrounding natural areas. Programmatic elements include active library program rooms, distinct children, adult, and teen areas, and a dedicated quiet reading space. Each key space is partnered with outdoor program area, allowing the entire site to be activated.

Architect's Statement: The design of the Pine Valley Library is rooted in the creation of a community hub that can easily flex and transform to accommodate the ever-changing library users and programs. Rather than limiting programmatic opportunities to solely the building, the entire site and building is thought of as the library, providing both interior and exterior opportunities for various types of programming and events.

Located behind a one-story shopping center and facing the service entries and drive-thru of the adjacent buildings, the library straddles the boundary between the heavily paved environment and dense wooded wetlands and residential area beyond. With minimal visibility from the adjacent roadways, the building folds upwards to provide a presence beyond the existing brick buildings and serves as a marker for the library while drawing patrons in. The stained wood soffit extends into the public spaces and serves to amplify the inside/outside connection and tie the building into the lush landscape along the back and sides.

The unique plan geometry results from the desire to easily adjust collection and programmatic needs and consists of three distinct zones – Program and Meeting Rooms, Children’s Area, and Adult / Quiet Area – radiating from a central circulation and collection area. Each of the three programmatic zones can easily flex into the central area as needed allowing the space to accommodate a wide range and scale of events while being able to adapt to changes in the community demographic.

Active and non-traditional spaces are located along the entry edges, serving as a gallery of new programs, technologies, and community, while more quiet and traditional reading spaces are located along the other edges of the building with views to the natural areas. To change the stereotype of the library as a quiet place, the typical model of separating and enclosing the loud spaces is reversed, with the active children, teen, and maker areas being located in the main public zone and an enclosed quiet adult and study area created.

Outdoor program spaces with a direct visual connection are located adjacent to each of the main interior spaces - maker and teen space, program rooms, children’s area, and quiet reading area while between each wing, a flexible outdoor community space is created which can be used for larger programs, community events, and future installations.