renton library AWS
RENTON LIBRARY Lot size: 46,400 SF Building size: 19,718 GSF Location: Renton, WA Project Type: Built
RENTON LIBRARY
The original 1966 library structure was constructed to iconically straddle the Cedar River with views to the water, railway, and active salmon habitat. Its unique location was well loved by generations of community members and well worth preserving. When built in 1966, the original building was an engineering feat. Its pre-cast concrete T’s, concrete columns and wood truss-joists created an impressive 80-foot central clear span on the interior. By 2015, however, the exterior envelope was failing and not compliant with current energy codes. Its structural system was not fit to withstand current seismic criteria nor potential liquefaction of the alluvial soils. In addition, its building systems were not able to keep up with the increased demands of a 21st century library—heavy in power and data usage. The team’s design goal was to celebrate and reveal the inherent bridge structure in a language recalling the Renton’s legacy of engineering. New cross bracing and raw aluminum siding was detailed to celebrate a structurally expressive and finely crafted exterior expression. The renovation maintained the original super structure, but introduced a new energy efficient exterior envelope with floor to ceiling views to the river. By removing the interior attic space concealing the trusses, the interior volume increased by nearly 5-feet. Trimming back the existing overhang brought more daylight into the building and created a lightweight, taut bridge expression. Redistributing services throughout the concrete bridge structure proved to be problematic, so out of necessity, all of the building’s systems are revealed in the main public space as a way of putting the building’s “machine” on display. Digital information— essential to a 21st century library—was given celebrity status via power and data drops from the ceiling. These drops combine aircraft cable with steel connections and visually anchor the computer station “hubs” and study tables.
HISTORY & CONTEXT — Renton, Washington, located on the south shore of Lake Washington, has a long history of engineering and manufacturing including companies like PACCAR and Boeing. It was this spirit of engineering prowess that was the creative inspiration for the original library structure. Constructed using long span pre-cast concrete, the library’s structure is one of a series of bridges— vehicular, rail and pedestrian—crossing the Cedar River within the downtown core.
Inspiration for the renovation came from revealing the true nature of the library as bridge with expansive views to the Cedar River below.
ORIGINAL LIBRARY
RENOVATED LIBRARY
BFE OHWM
NO CONSTRUCTION ZONE
Duetotothe the fragile river ecosystem, all construction Due fragile river ecosystem, all construction neededneeded to occurto occurabove above or landward of the Base Floor Elevation (BFE). or landward of the Base Floor Elevation (BFE).
SITE CONSTRAINTS — The original 1966 structure, while iconic, could not have been built over the river with today’s environmental restrictions. Construction activity was required to remain outside of an area defined by the Base Flood Elevation to avoid damaging marine habitat. In order to seismically upgrade the building, the team creatively found a way to buttress the existing structure and soils using landward pilings—avoiding years of permitting oversight and habitat disruption. During construction, the contractor kept all construction activity and materials inside the bridge footprint and hung scaffolding and platforms as to not disrupt the river’s hydraulic patterns.
1. EXISTING STRUCTURE
2. DECONSTRUCT • Trim back roof structure • Remove 1980’s addition & clerestory
4. UPGRADE PERFORMANCE • Insert new energy efficient envelope & full height glazing • Install perimeter sunshade
5. ADDRESS ACCESS • Improve bridge surface • Add safety lighting & new entry
3. BUTTRESS STRUCTURE • Add auger cast piles • Erect braced frames
6. RENOVATED LIBRARY
FLOOR PLAN 1. Entry 2. Periodicals 3. Meeting Room 4. Teen Area 5. Study 6. Conference Room 7. Non-Fiction Collection 8. Computer Stations 9. Fiction 10. Children’s Area 11. Work Room 12. Parking
CEDAR RIVER
10
9 6
7
5
12 8
4
3
11
1
2
3
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE N
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE — The existing pedestrian connection between the parking lot and Liberty Park is now accessible, well lit, and has a traction coating for safer crossing during wet/icy weather. The new railing is designed to feel transparent and allow better views to the river below. Lighting was incorporated into the railing for safety, yet is angled to prevent light spillage affecting salmon habitat.
ORIGINAL LIBRARY
RENOVATED LIBRARY
RE-IMAGINED ENTRANCE — Originally, the main entry was located at midspan of the bridge; a location that posed problems with wayfinding, safety and accessibility. The new entry facing the parking lot is now safer and more accessible for users of all ages and abilities and visible from the parking lot. The existing bridge now feels like an extension of the library interior with clear views to the river and park beyond.
ER MM SU
ER MM SU
FA
G
N
RI
SP L/
G
N
RI
P /S LL
TER
WIN
L
FA
TER
WIN
ORIGINAL BUILDING SECTION • thick, overbearing roof • high windows limit or completely block views of river for smaller children • roof overhang limits natural daylight
RENOVATED BUILDING SECTION • thin roof profile • energy efficient envelope • full height glazing provides expanded views of river • perimeter sun shade mitigates solar heat gain
interior finishes direction
KCLS RENTON DOWNTOWN LIBRARY
INTERIOR EXPRESSION — The interior of the building was renovated to honor the large open spans and industrial structure. Clean simple shapes, patterning, and color palette were crafted to recall Renton’s manufacturing history and archetypal industrial spaces.
12.12.2013
RENTON LIBRARY
The original 1966 library structure was constructed to iconically straddle the Cedar River with views to the water, railway, and active salmon habitat. Its unique location was well loved by generations of community members and well worth preserving. When built in 1966, the original building was an engineering feat. Its pre-cast concrete T’s, concrete columns and wood truss-joists created an impressive 80-foot central clear span on the interior. By 2015, however, the exterior envelope was failing and not compliant with current energy codes. Its structural system was not fit to withstand current seismic criteria nor potential liquefaction of the alluvial soils. In addition, its building systems were not able to keep up with the increased demands of a 21st century library—heavy in power and data usage. The team’s design goal was to celebrate and reveal the inherent bridge structure in a language recalling the Renton’s legacy of engineering. New cross bracing and raw aluminum siding was detailed to celebrate a structurally expressive and finely crafted exterior expression. The renovation maintained the original super structure, but introduced a new energy efficient exterior envelope with floor to ceiling views to the river. By removing the interior attic space concealing the trusses, the interior volume increased by nearly 5-feet. Trimming back the existing overhang brought more daylight into the building and created a lightweight, taut bridge expression. Redistributing services throughout the concrete bridge structure proved to be problematic, so out of necessity, all of the building’s systems are revealed in the main public space as a way of putting the building’s “machine” on display. Digital information— essential to a 21st century library—was given celebrity status via power and data drops from the ceiling. These drops combine aircraft cable with steel connections and visually anchor the computer station “hubs” and study tables.
HISTORY & CONTEXT — Renton, Washington, located on the south shore of Lake Washington, has a long history of engineering and manufacturing including companies like PACCAR and Boeing. It was this spirit of engineering prowess that was the creative inspiration for the original library structure. Constructed using long span pre-cast concrete, the library’s structure is one of a series of bridges— vehicular, rail and pedestrian—crossing the Cedar River within the downtown core.
Inspiration for the renovation came from revealing the true nature of the library as bridge with expansive views to the Cedar River below.
ORIGINAL LIBRARY
RENOVATED LIBRARY
BFE OHWM
NO CONSTRUCTION ZONE
Duetotothe the fragile river ecosystem, all construction Due fragile river ecosystem, all construction neededneeded to occurto occurabove above or landward of the Base Floor Elevation (BFE). or landward of the Base Floor Elevation (BFE).
SITE CONSTRAINTS — The original 1966 structure, while iconic, could not have been built over the river with today’s environmental restrictions. Construction activity was required to remain outside of an area defined by the Base Flood Elevation to avoid damaging marine habitat. In order to seismically upgrade the building, the team creatively found a way to buttress the existing structure and soils using landward pilings—avoiding years of permitting oversight and habitat disruption. During construction, the contractor kept all construction activity and materials inside the bridge footprint and hung scaffolding and platforms as to not disrupt the river’s hydraulic patterns.
1. EXISTING STRUCTURE
2. DECONSTRUCT • Trim back roof structure • Remove 1980’s addition & clerestory
4. UPGRADE PERFORMANCE • Insert new energy efficient envelope & full height glazing • Install perimeter sunshade
5. ADDRESS ACCESS • Improve bridge surface • Add safety lighting & new entry
3. BUTTRESS STRUCTURE • Add auger cast piles • Erect braced frames
6. RENOVATED LIBRARY
FLOOR PLAN 1. Entry 2. Periodicals 3. Meeting Room 4. Teen Area 5. Study 6. Conference Room 7. Non-Fiction Collection 8. Computer Stations 9. Fiction 10. Children’s Area 11. Work Room 12. Parking
CEDAR RIVER
10
9 6
7
5
12 8
4
3
11
1
2
3
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE N
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE — The existing pedestrian connection between the parking lot and Liberty Park is now accessible, well lit, and has a traction coating for safer crossing during wet/icy weather. The new railing is designed to feel transparent and allow better views to the river below. Lighting was incorporated into the railing for safety, yet is angled to prevent light spillage affecting salmon habitat.
ORIGINAL LIBRARY
RENOVATED LIBRARY
RE-IMAGINED ENTRANCE — Originally, the main entry was located at midspan of the bridge; a location that posed problems with wayfinding, safety and accessibility. The new entry facing the parking lot is now safer and more accessible for users of all ages and abilities and visible from the parking lot. The existing bridge now feels like an extension of the library interior with clear views to the river and park beyond.
ER MM SU
ER MM SU
FA
G
N
RI
SP L/
G
N
RI
P /S LL
TER
WIN
L
FA
TER
WIN
ORIGINAL BUILDING SECTION • thick, overbearing roof • high windows limit or completely block views of river for smaller children • roof overhang limits natural daylight
RENOVATED BUILDING SECTION • thin roof profile • energy efficient envelope • full height glazing provides expanded views of river • perimeter sun shade mitigates solar heat gain
interior finishes direction
KCLS RENTON DOWNTOWN LIBRARY
INTERIOR EXPRESSION — The interior of the building was renovated to honor the large open spans and industrial structure. Clean simple shapes, patterning, and color palette were crafted to recall Renton’s manufacturing history and archetypal industrial spaces.
12.12.2013
