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Frederic Schwartz Selected to Design Pennsylvania Library

Openness and connection to nature, as well as historic relevance, were important factors for the design jury.

Meaghan O'Neill -- Interior Design, 3/15/2007 12:00:00 AM

The Building Task Force of the Pike County Public Library System in Pennsylvania recently announced that Frederic Schwartz Architects of New York has been selected to create the preliminary architectural plan for a new 18,000-square-foot central library in the town of Milford. The design was the unanimous choice among a 12-person jury that chose FSA from three finalists in a competition.

The design features an open, sky-lit space that serves as the library’s hub and center for interior circulation. Large, separate areas exist for adults, teens, and children. A community meeting room and conference and tutoring rooms are also key elements. Design accents provide a sense of openness and connection to nature.

"What knocked us out in the final review was the way Frederic Schwartz figured out a way to create a multi-purpose room that somehow becomes a theater for 160 people,” says Milford resident Alastair Gordon, an author on architecture and member of the jury and the Building Task Force. “Suddenly, instead of just a library, we see the vision for a true cultural center.”

The project, which will follow the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED design principals, will be sited to take advantage of its natural surroundings. Its adjacency to wooded parkland and the large setback in front of the building mirrors the architectural treatment of other historic civic buildings in Milford. The second level provides views and is covered by a green roof and terrace that allows for outdoor access. The front façade features a park-like setting, bordered by trees that screen parked cars from view, while the parking area, comprised of pervious concrete and grass, will minimize storm water runoff.

Other green features include exterior finishes that will incorporate local materials such as concrete, bluestone, and wood. The simple box-on-box shape of the building features a lower ivy-covered edifice of poured concrete, which will use significant recycled content. Reduction of air infiltration through the use of concrete walls and insulated windows will significantly reduce operating costs and enhance indoor air quality and maximize natural daylighting. Low-E double-glazing; energy efficient mechanical systems, including radiant floor heating and operable windows; and the possible use of a geothermal heating system will also contribute to a LEED rating.

FSA’s recent projects include Global Green Affordable Housing in New Orleans, the World Trade Center Master Plan at Ground Zero, the New Orleans Master Plan, and the $200 million State Island Ferry Terminal in New York City.