Construction Cost: $1,300,000
Completion Date: 2006.10

Tucked between four of Knoxville’s most economically and ethnically diverse neighborhoods, this new branch of the public library system aims to be a cohesive and dynamic gathering place for the community. The project team saw an opportunity to renovate and reuse an 18,000 square foot vacant retail complex; a move that helped rid the area of an eyesore while conserving natural resources. Among the numerous challenges posed by the complex program and tight budget was the desire to have after-hours accessibility for civic functions as well as a need to address the negative reaction of some community leaders to the idea of reusing this uninspiring structure instead of constructing an entirely new building.

To address the challenges posed by the renovation, Cockrill Design & Planning inserted a feature wall that runs through the structure and organizes all the primary spaces. This design element rises through the existing roof to create a two-story entry that serves to orient library patrons while erasing the low, horizontal spatial feeling of the previous retail space. A transparent zone was established along this wall with large windows to allow ample light and views to the front entry garden and rear garden courtyard. The interior color palette is bright and modern, with special attention paid to the children’s reading area to make it fun and interactive. Linear fixtures were chosen that bounce light off of the exposed roof structure and down onto the reading tables; providing a glare-free surface. Entry signage on the exterior is highlighted by it’s placement on a brick wall with an eye-catching pattern that faces the primary thoroughfare. The modern vocabulary of the architecture evokes thoughts of the bright future in store for the diverse neighborhoods that share this library.

Photography by Robert Batey.