Brookings Public Library - 4TH YEAR

I had the opportunity to co-lead the design and coordination of the Brookings Public Library as one of the Principal Architects of Peak.Studio Architecture alongside Jack Walsh. Our team—Hannah Kollis, Elizabeth Nicolai, Gage Carr, Bennett Schmidt,  Isabella Burnley and Aubrielle Prewitt—worked collaboratively to create a library that balances classical architectural influences with contemporary sustainable design.

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The project was centered around the idea of three distinct architectural volumes, representing the commercial, civic, and residential districts that define the site’s surroundings. With downtown Brookings to the west, the courthouse district to the east, and a residential neighborhood to the southeast, our goal was to design a building that would connect all three contexts and act as a bridge between them. We placed the main entrance on the west side, integrating the library with downtown and the 5th Street corridor, the area’s most active commercial thoroughfare. On the north side, we introduced a playground adjacent to the Children’s Museum, creating an opportunity to draw in younger visitors and their families. To the east, we designed a courtyard overlooking the courthouse, offering a quieter space for reading, study, and reflection.

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Early in the process, we were given a client directive to incorporate classical design elements, which led us to focus on arches and vaults—structural forms that have endured for centuries. Our approach was to reinterpret these historic elements through a modern lens, using them to define space, guide movement, and create a strong architectural identity. The barrel vaults, built from brick, establish a sense of permanence, while the mass timber structure of the central atrium provides warmth and contrast, reinforcing the transition from past to present.

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Material selection was a key focus for our team. Brick was used for the barrel vaults, emphasizing their structural and historical significance. The atrium is framed with mass timber, which not only adds warmth and natural variation to the space but also serves as an expressive structural feature. Glass curtain walls, primarily located on the north and south facades, allow for abundant natural light, while vertical wood slats provide shading and add depth to the façade. Cork, a material known for its sustainability, insulation properties, and acoustic performance, was integrated into the design as both a façade detail and an interior wall finish, particularly in study and reading spaces where sound control is crucial.

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Moving through the building, visitors enter into a compressed entry space that expands dramatically into the central atrium. The recessed stack area, which forms the heart of the library, sits just beyond this transition, reinforcing a sense of movement from a confined space into an open one. On the north side, we placed a public café, offering both interior seating and an employee-accessible entrance. Adjacent to the café, the children’s reading and learning space was designed to encourage interaction while maintaining a level of separation from quieter areas. The teen lounge and stack area, positioned nearby, provides a more private retreat for young adults. Along the south side, we incorporated additional reading and lounge areas, a technology-focused workspace, and a makerspace equipped with a kitchen and activity tables, ensuring the library supports both traditional and hands-on learning experiences.

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A wide stairway positioned along the north side of the atrium leads to the second level, where the library continues to function as a flexible, multi-use space. An overhanging lounge area, located at the stair landing, provides a quiet retreat for studying and working. The technology space on this level, which includes audio-visual stacks, is positioned next to flex rooms, designed for both public and staff use. Along the exterior glass wall, we placed rows of adult stacks, ensuring that natural light filters through the space and enhances the reading experience.

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On the west end of the second floor, we designed two reservable event spaces, one larger and one smaller, to accommodate community events, lectures, and programming. Along the west wall, a series of private study rooms provide a quiet, well-lit environment for research and collaboration. A secluded lounge space, placed near the administrative offices, offers additional privacy for patrons. The archive room, located adjacent to the larger event space, ensures long-term preservation of local history and collections.

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The administrative areas were designed for efficiency and operational functionality. On the first floor, we placed the admin space in the southwest corner, integrating a loading dock and a two-way elevator to facilitate staff operations and material transport. This area includes four private offices, gender-neutral restrooms, and a staff kitchen. The second-floor administrative area mirrors the first, but instead of a kitchen, it features two large conference rooms for staff meetings and library programming.

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Structurally, we focused on the contrast between classical and contemporary building methods. The brick barrel vaults on the north and west sides establish a strong visual identity, while the mass timber atrium framework, positioned centrally, supports a long-spanning skylight above the recessed stack area, filling the space with natural light and enhancing the architectural experience.

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Sustainability was a priority throughout the design. Cork-lined walls improve acoustic performance, particularly in study rooms, the children’s area, and the makerspace, ensuring a comfortable and adaptable learning environment. The library was also designed to be expandable in the future, allowing the community to grow into the space over time.

The exterior design reinforces the library’s architectural intent. Brick arches on the north and south facades transition seamlessly into the interior vaulting, creating a sense of continuity throughout the structure. Along the east and west atrium facades, we incorporated a mass timber framework with vertical wood slats, offering a textural contrast to the brick while maintaining visual warmth. Above, the expansive skylight brings natural light deep into the recessed stack area, reducing energy consumption while enhancing the overall experience of the space.

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The Brookings Public Library represents a balance of classical architectural principles and modern sustainable strategies. Our goal was to reinterpret historic architectural elements in a way that is functional, forward-thinking, and community-driven. The integration of arches, mass timber, and natural daylighting demonstrates how classical architectural forms can be adapted for contemporary use without losing their significance.

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As one of the Principal Architects for this project, this was an opportunity for me to not only explore the intersection of tradition and innovation but also to lead a team in creating a design that will serve the community for years to come. The collaborative efforts of Peak.Studio Architecture made this project possible, and I’m proud of the work our team accomplished in developing a library that is both timeless and adaptable to the evolving needs of its users.