Harmon Library is a small library in the heart of an urban park in downtown Phoenix, a gathering place where the community was enabled to take pride and ownership of the building. Over time, the diverse neighborhood has integrated the library as a key element within the community; a place to connect with adults, and an important resource for after school working families. Celebrating the wide diversity and demographic of the community, the building is conceived as a Kaleidoscope; a primary linear space containing the commonly shared functions flanked by discrete age-dependent areas. Allowing each to be both independent but maintain a shared experience, the library provides multi-purpose spaces for the vastly different age groups that make-up the patrons.
The facility provides a children's story room and First Five Years/Los Primeros Cinco Años interactive learning space for families with young children, a multi-purpose meeting room for community gatherings, as well as library programs, patio spaces, a special "teens only" area with materials just for teens, dedicated study space, WiFi, 34 Internet-accessible public computers, and a multi-functional kitchen to service library events.
Framed with a large expanse of saw-tooth glass at each end, the upper ceiling volume is sheathed in perforated aluminum panels, dispersed with colored linear skylights and slot windows that refract the ever-changing light throughout the day. Establishing the core reading area, the 25' high central volume with graphic panels suspended from structural trusses provides a lyrical play of texture and color reflecting across the floor, walls, and furniture. An open floor plate seamlessly transfers patrons throughout the library and augments views to exterior garden courts and the adjacent community park beyond.
Project facts
Design Architect: Richärd Kennedy Architects
Architect of Record: Richärd Kennedy Architects
Client: City of Phoenix
Size: 20,000 SF
Project Type: Civic + Public
Services: Architecture, Master Planning, Programming, Library Planning, Library Design, Interior Design
Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build
General Contractor: Redden Construction, Inc.
MEP Engineer: Energy System Design
Electrical Engineer: OMB Electrical Engineers
Structural Engineer: Paragon Structural Design, Inc.
Civil Engineer: M.A. Mortenson
Landscape Design Architect: Green Studio
Artist Consultant: Stacy Levy
Photographer: Marc Boisclair
Press & Awards
2011 AIA Western Mountain Region, Merit Award
2011 Valley Forward Environmental Excellence, Merit Award
2011 AIA / ALA Library Building Awards, Award of Excellence
2010 AIA Arizona, Citation Award
2010 IIDA Southwest Chapter PRIDE, Merit Award
2008 IIDA Southwest Chapter PRIDE Award, Award of Merit: On the Boards
2008 ALA / IIDA, Honorable Mention: On the Boards