Presented by the American Institute of Architects and the American Library Association, the award recognizes projects that demonstrate architectural excellence and a strong understanding of how libraries can evolve to better serve their communities.
Neighboring the University of Missouri’s Columbia campus, the State Historical Society of Missouri’s serves as a cultural and an academic anchor—bridging town and gown and encompassing an expansive collection of historical records, newspapers, manuscripts, and works of art.
The building invites scholars and the public into a space that offers areas for research, exhibition, and gathering. The design strategy integrates the notion of confluence into the building's parti, where several layers of overlap occur between the city and the campus, the past and the present, art on display and the structure's vast archives, and the ongoing dialogue that happens within the state.
Multistudio was selected alongside a small group of national recipients, each illustrating how libraries can connect people, preserve culture, and inspire learning. The firm acknowledges the State Historical Society of Missouri for its trust and partnership on this important civic project.
Learn more about the project here.
