Architect

OPN Architects
200 5th Avenue S.E., #201, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
www.opnarchitects.com

General Description

Location: Moline, Illinois
Date Bid: Jan 2005
Construction Period: Mar 2005 to Aug 2006
Total Square Feet: 72,710 Site: 4.72 acres.
Number of Buildings: One. 
Building Size: First floor, 39,619; second floor, 32,043; mezzanine, 1,048; total, 72,710 square feet.
Building Height: First floor, 17’2”; second floor 17’2”; mezzanine, 8’8”; total, 43'2”. Basic Construction Type: 5A/New. 
Foundation: Reinforced concrete, slab-on-grade. 
Exterior Walls: Metal stud, brick, curtainwall. Roof: Membrane. 
Floors: Concrete. Interior Walls: Metal stud drywall.

Construction Team

Structural, Electrical & Mechanical Engineer: KJWW Engineering - 623 26th Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201
General Contractor: Russell Construction Company - 4600 E. 53rd Street, Davenport, IA 52807
Civil Engineer: Missman Stanley & Associates - 1011 27th Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201
Cost Estimator: Stecker Harmsen - P.O. Box 884, Ames, IA 50010

Many of the Library Board’s goals and objectives were a reaction against the circa-1960 facility they had occupied and the challenges they had in offering a diverse program of library services. The challenge for the design team was to satisfy the Board’s design objectives on a tight construction budget of $135 per square foot, including site work and demolition of the current facility. 

The strategy for the new design addresses the desire for transparency. First, the facility is placed on the street frontage, bringing the facade into public view. Second, all hard-wall spaces, such as restrooms, office areas, mechanical spaces, etc., are placed to the back of the plan, which positions the open collection and seating areas toward the front of the facility. Third, large expanses of fenestration connect the library to the exterior and present an open, inviting appearance to the public. 

The program for the new facility called for a series of public meeting rooms and a coffee shop that could operate on hours independent of the library. These public spaces are housed in the one-story copper form and are designed such that access is possible on off-hours. Upon entering the main lobby, one can access the coffee shop, meeting rooms, or the library. Upon entering the library, clerestory windows provide a glimpse of the two-story library, signifying that you are crossing a threshold between the community meeting form and the library form.

The predominant collection space is located on the second level and is celebrated on the facade through tall, floor-to-ceiling windows that align with the aisle space in the stack areas to create a synergy between the building envelope and the furnishings. A backlit, decorative frosted glass panel at the central staircase is visible throughout the collection space that becomes a point of orientation and intuitive way finding. The glass panel incorporates opening phrases from literature as selected by the library patrons during the design process. 

In addition to the integration of computers in the reference area and electronic book access system, the Library Board wanted to completely embrace the notion of self-check technology. The design team felt that library design had not embraced this technology well, typically placing self-check stations on traditional circulation desks or in retro-fitted computer carrels. The design went beyond these solutions to create self-check kiosks that are specifically designed for the new technology. Library staff is available to assist patrons, and can staff check stations as needed in lieu of a traditional circulation desk.

The exterior design for the facility is a bridge between modern and contemporary. The materials, brick, stone, copper, and glass, are traditional materials for the city of Moline, but they are used in a modern interpretation of the library program. Sustainability is addressed through considerable daylighting through the wide expanse of windows and a light monitor on the second level. Daylight sensors control artificial light levels. Low maintenance planting and bio-swales were incorporated into the site design.   

Manufacturers

DIV. 5: Metal Siding: Metal Design Service. 
DIV: 7: Membrane: Firestone.
DIV. 8: Windows, Entrances & Storefronts, Curtainwall: Tubelite; Glass: Pilkington Energy 
Advantage Low-E; Decorative Glass: Arch Deco by Arch Aluminum. 
DIV. 9: Gypsum: USG.