Play
Pause
AIA Western Mountain Region - Merit Award
International Interior Design Association, Southwest Chapter - Merit Award
AIA National - Honor Award
National AIA/ALA Library Building Award
Library Journal - Landmark Award
Photographer: Bill Timmerman
Multistudio worked in association with Wendell Burnette Architects to understand the needs of the Maryvale community and the context of the building site. The completed project utilized the existing park-like conditions, formulated a unique building solution for the site, and fulfilled the City of Phoenix’s diverse program requirements.
Programming spaces in the two connected buildings include a senior center; large public library; 150-seat auditorium for recitals, theater, and public lectures; multi-purpose rooms; art studios and dance studios; a computer lab; a teaching kitchen; administrative office space; and a community center that includes a park, pool, basketball courts, running track, and gym.
The intent of the design was to be environmentally responsible, for the existing 14-acre public park to remain the “green” heart of Maryvale, and to renew the Library and Community Center’s civic presence.
The full campus is composed of twin buildings, an outdoor swimming pool, a baseball field, and ample park space, all connected by a 400-foot-long “light-spine” that traverses the site. A parking variance and an intergovernmental agreement with the schools to the south of the new facility allowed us to save the existing baseball field, increasing the project’s sustainability.
Each building is composed of mill-finish stainless steel blocks resting atop an 8-foot-high band of glass that wraps around the perimeter. The resulting transparency creates an interplay between indoor and outdoor, encouraging passersby to engage with the many programs scheduled at the Library and Community Center.
The choice of mill-finished stainless steel also supports the project’s sustainability goals, as it requires 40% less energy to fabricate than ‘finished’ stainless steel and has a unique quality that absorbs light and color more than it reflects them.
The library and community center respond to the unique circumstances of the Arizona climate and landscape, providing an eco-conscious, thoughtful solution to community needs.
