Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library

TRADITIONAL LOOK, HIGH PERFORMANCE DESIGN

IN ASSOCIATION WITH ENGBERG ANDERSON

Library District officials and north side residents wanted a prominent, yet warm and inviting branch library. Their participation and collaboration gave birth to North Branch, whose timber and stone material give it a “lodge-like” feeling.

Located on a hillside adjacent to Central High School, this public library features an especially large young adult area, easily monitored from the central circulation desk. A spacious outdoor reading garden is also contiguous to the young adult space and to the self-service café.

Two towers flank the ends of the facility. One tower houses an adult reading area, secluded behind a massive stone fireplace, and the other tower encompasses the children’s reading room. Although traditional in look and feel, the North Branch Library takes advantage of high-performance design, with a raised-floor air plenum for comfort, flexibility, and energy efficiency.