Title: Bainbridge Library
Location of Proejct: Bainbridge, Ohio
Project Completion Date: Spring 2021
Firm Name: Perkins&Will in association with CBLH Design

Short Description: Bainbridge Branch Library is designed to reflect the history and culture of a community in flux. Straddling two site conditions, the building conceptually negotiates a threshold between an “orchard” of man-made development and the “forest” of untamed nature. Intentional lighting, framed views into the woods, and curated storytelling through integrated wall graphic physically organize the library while connecting it to the community is serves. While offering traditional and progressive library services, the library is also and experiential lens through which to view the township’s past, present and future.

Architect's Statement: Bainbridge Library serves Geauga County’s fastest growing and urbanizing district. It includes a new maker lab, specialty children’s areas, and much enlarged community programs. The project was executed while maintaining operations of the existing library on site.

A Site Divided: Set on a half-developed and half-wooded site, the building helps tell the Bainbridge story of growth and development. Straddling two site conditions—wooded and wild on the one side; cleared and leveled on the other—the building conceptually negotiates the threshold between an “orchard” of man-made development and the “forest” of untamed nature. The library is conceived as a lens through which to view the township’s past, present and future.

Building Organization: Design challenges included: maintaining continuous operations of the existing library, negotiating a topographically challenging site with a single-story building solution, and accomplishing this with a limited budget. Carefully following the natural topography to minimize cut and fill, the building is divided into four wings.
A dramatic lift of the roof line announces the main entry that welcomes arriving patrons with the material warmth of a wood-lined entry vestibule. Giant portals at the ends of each wing frame views of the surrounding woods that envelop the library.

Flexibility: Designed for maximum flexibility, the library spaces mainly a large open volume that can be functionally zoned and re-zoned through furniture and lighting accents. Constellations of lights designate points of core services for adults, children, and reference. Sliding security screens segregate the library space from meeting and pre-function areas to allow for gathering and events to occur outside of library hours.

Storytelling: Amidst rapid growth, remembering the area’s rural and agrarian roots while celebrating nature were important community goals. Arriving visitors enter the building at the midpoint of a linear axis: one direction remembers the past and terminates in a composite mural of a historic township map overlayed with contemporary aerial imaging; the other direction points to the future and terminates in the glass enclosed makerspace. Referencing what is arguably Bainbridge’s best-known regional asset—the Geauga Lake amusement park—the path to the children’s wing is lined with bold wall graphics that relate the fun of amusement parks with adventures to discover within the library.

The project addresses the AIA Framework for Design Excellence in the following ways:

Design for ecosystems: Located in the heart of a small town, the site is very accessible. Various educational programs like butterfly migration stations & community gardens are being implemented by library staff.

Design for water: Stormwater is captured & filtered on-site into storage tanks equaling 300,000 gallons, which act as emergency water supply for the town’s fire department.

Design for economy: Cut/fill on site was carefully balanced. Materials and methods are simple and economical, and special moments are saved for greater impact.

Design for communities: Through engagement with stakeholders and storytelling, the community already feels ownership for their new library. It acts as a learning anchor to four grade schools within walking distance. Indoor/Outdoor programs, such as a courtyard adjacent to the children’s zone, offers space for play.