On January 26, the 15,000-sf Mission Hills-Hillcrest Harley & Bessie Knox Library in San Diego opened to the public. The $17.9 million, one-story facility, whose construction was officially completed on February 5, is four times larger than the former library branch, and is serving the Mission Hills and Hillcrest neighborhoods.
This is the fourth library project in the San Diego area constructed by general contractor C.W. Driver, which also celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. “As with any of our civic projects, the C.W. Driver team is proud to construct a sustainable building that leaves a lasting impression on the local community,” said Andy Feth, C.W. Driver’s project executive.
The Mission Hills-Hillcrest library was built from bridging documents, and designed to meet LEED Gold standards. (There’s a solar-panel array on its roof and drought-tolerant plants on the grounds.) The building includes a 30,000-sf, two-story underground parking garage with 85 parking spaces, 76 more than the previous library.
The Mission Hills-Hillcrest library combines craftsman and contemporary architectural styles. Image: Brady Architectural Photography
The library’s design, by Ferguson Pape Baldwin Architects and Manuel Oncina Architects (the latter being AOR), combines craftsman and contemporary. Its Mission-style entry leads visitors to a lobby with 25-ft-tall ceilings, trusses, trellises and a skylight, which flow into a reading room.
A community room, which opens onto a 1,400-sf outdoor patio, is the focal point for the library’s programming, which will include gatherings, hosted author talks, and civic events. One of the library’s first guest speakers was author Susan Orlean, who discussed her latest book, “The Library Book,” which recounts a 1986 fire that destroyed the Los Angeles Public Library and the role that libraries play in their communities.
The new library includes a 1,600-sf children's area. Image: Brady Architectural Photography
A 1,600-sf chlidren’s area has its own computer lab and themed storytime area. The library has a 384-sf teen area, 400-sf garden, large meeting room, four study rooms, and adult computer lab, and an “idea lab” with 3D printers and other technology. There is also retail space called the “Friends of the Library Room.”
Other Building Team members for the Mission Hills-Hillcrest project—which started with the demolition of the old International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers building in May 2017—include San Diego-based Architects Mosher Drew (Bridging Documents Architect), Snipes Dye Associates (CE), Van Dyke Landscape Architects (Landscape Architect), Coffman Engineers, Associate Mechanical Contractors, McParlane & Associates, Rowan Electric, ELEN Consulting, and Mechanical Building Optimization (Consulting Engineers).
The original Mission Hills library opened in 1961 with 3,850 sf of space. The new facility is named after Harley Knox, San Diego’s 25th Mayor, and his wife Bessie.
Related Stories
| May 9, 2012
Shepley Bulfinch given IIDA Design award for Woodruff Library?
The design challenges included creating an entry sequence to orient patrons and highlight services; establishing a sense of identity visible from the exterior; and providing a flexible extended-hours access for part of the learning commons.
| Apr 17, 2012
FMI report examines federal construction trends
Given the rapid transformations occurring in the federal construction sector, FMI examines the key forces accelerating these changes, as well as their effect on the industry.
| Apr 4, 2012
Bald joins the Harmon glazing team
Bald has 13 years of experience in the glazing industry, coming to Harmon from Trainor where he was the regional manager of the Mid-Atlantic region.
| Mar 22, 2012
Moline Public Library uses copper as an exterior building material
Architects incorporate decorative copper panels to create the look of a heavy plate copper shingle.
| Dec 2, 2011
What are you waiting for? BD+C's 2012 40 Under 40 nominations are due Friday, Jan. 20
Nominate a colleague, peer, or even yourself. Applications available here.
| Oct 24, 2011
BBS Architects & Engineers receives 2011 Sustainable Design Award from AIA Long Island Chapter
AIA LI also recognized BBS with the 2011 ARCHI Award Commendation for the St. Charles Resurrection Cemetery St. Charles Resurrection Cemetery Welcoming and Information Center in Farmingdale, NY.
| Feb 23, 2011
The library is dead, long live the library
The Society for College and University Planning asked its members to voice their thoughts on the possible death of academic libraries. And many did. The good news? It's not all bad news. A summary of their members' comments appears on the SCUP blog.
| Feb 11, 2011
Former Richardson Romanesque hotel now houses books, not beds
The Piqua (Ohio) Public Library was once a late 19th-century hotel that sat vacant and deteriorating for years before a $12.3 million adaptive reuse project revitalized the 1891 building. The design team of PSA-Dewberry, MKC Associates, and historic preservation specialist Jeff Wray Associates collaborated on the restoration of the 80,000-sf Richardson Romanesque building, once known as the Fort Piqua Hotel. The team restored a mezzanine above the lobby and repaired historic windows, skylight, massive fireplace, and other historic details. The basement, with its low ceiling and stacked stone walls, was turned into a castle-like children’s center. The Piqua Historical Museum is also located within the building.
| Jan 21, 2011
Library planned for modern media enthusiasts
The England Run Library, a new 30,000-sf glass, brick, and stone building, will soon house more than 100,000 books and DVDs. The Lukmire Partnership, Arlington, Va., designed the Stafford County, Va., library, the firm’s fourth for the Central Rappahannock Library System, to combine modern library-browsing trends with traditional library services.
| Nov 23, 2010
The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which will house the former president’s library
The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which will house the former president’s library and museum, plus the Bush Institute, is aiming for LEED Platinum. The 226,565-sf center, located at Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, was designed by architect Robert A.M. Stern and landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh.