Library Offers a Gateway for the Community

Sitting on the edge of the Eastmark Great Park in Mesa, Arizona, the 28,000-square-foot Gateway Library is knitted into the fabric of the park as a new amenity – organized around the concept of an open market; knowledge, social interaction, and exploration are brought together under a singular unifying roof. The design reflects the City’s vision for their facilities and library system: “curiosity, learning, connection, inspiration, creativity, and dreaming starts here".

Designed to the client’s vision of the library as a gateway, the concept of the open market was developed. Unified under a folded roof, the library offers a vibrant, flexible environment that remains connected to nature while offering state-of-the-art, future-forward programs and technology. The library features a variety of functions composed around the central market corridor. Makerspaces, community meeting rooms, a young adult lounge, and storytime program spaces activate the market by turning inward toward the central core. Quieter, more contemplative spaces are located along the perimeter with views out to the adjacent lake and park. Enclosed program rooms feature interior pockets of color and vibrancy intended to stimulate collaboration. As part of the city’s commitment to creating welcoming spaces, a sensory room is provided for the Certified Autism Center. The team used trauma-informed design to curate and select colors, materials, lighting, and furnishings that support neurodiversity and foster an inclusive, comfortable space with respect to sensitivity and stimulation.

Incorporating a makerspace offered a dynamic way to facilitate an active learning environment. The team selected materials and finishes that are easy to clean and maintain and designed for long-term durability. The exterior and interior palette are unified: a steel-clad entry portal, continuous folded wood ceiling plane, and polished concrete flooring all act as a continuation and extension to the outdoor plaza. As a result, the new library offers an interactive and engaging destination for the community, blending the exterior and interior environments and celebrating the unique park setting.

Tectonically, the library emphasizes a balance between structural clarity and material authenticity. Its soaring roof serves as both a functional and symbolic element, sheltering a variety of spaces while responding to the desert climate with carefully integrated shading and ventilation strategies. Materials such as weathered steel, resawn wood, exposed integrally-colored concrete, and clear glazing create a dialogue between the building and its surrounding landscape, reflecting the desert’s earthy tones while emphasizing durability and warmth.

Community building is at the heart of the library’s mission, positioning it as a civic landmark and gathering space. Its adjacency to residential neighborhoods, schools, and the park fosters accessibility, while the design prioritizes inclusivity with autism-certified spaces, welcoming outdoor environments, and programs tailored to diverse age groups and interests. The library not only reflects the needs of its community but also seeks to inspire dialogue, connection, and growth, embodying the ideals of a library for the future.

‍

‍