Public Library

LOCATION: Brookings, South Dakota
PROJECT TYPE: Civil Building
YEAR: 4th Year

 

I co-led the design and coordination of the Brookings Public Library at Peak.Studio Architecture alongside Jack Walsh, with our dedicated team—Hannah Kollis, Elizabeth Nicolai, Gage Carr, Bennett Schmidt, Isabella Burnley, and Aubrielle Prewitt. Our approach combined classical architectural elements with contemporary sustainability strategies.

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The library strategically connects three distinct contexts surrounding the site: the bustling commercial district to the west, the courthouse area to the east, and a residential neighborhood to the southeast. The west-side entrance integrates seamlessly with downtown Brookings and the active 5th Street corridor. To the north, we included a playground near the Children's Museum to attract younger visitors and families. An eastern courtyard offers a quiet, reflective space overlooking the courthouse.

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Our design reinterprets traditional arches and vaults through brick barrel vaults, symbolizing permanence, and mass timber framing for warmth and modernity. Expansive glass curtain walls complemented by vertical wood slats optimize natural lighting and depth, while cork provides sustainable acoustic solutions.

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Inside, visitors experience a dramatic shift from a compressed entry into a luminous central atrium, highlighted by recessed book stacks beneath an expansive skylight. Amenities include a café, children’s interactive area, reading lounges, technology spaces, a makerspace, flexible event rooms, private study spaces, and dedicated archival storage. Thoughtfully placed administrative areas ensure operational efficiency.

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Sustainability was integral, with cork-lined walls enhancing acoustics and a design structured for future expansion. Exterior architecture mirrors interior strategies, creating visual continuity between traditional brick and modern timber, further amplified by abundant daylighting.

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The Brookings Public Library embodies a thoughtful fusion of historical and contemporary sustainable design, establishing an enduring community landmark realized through collaborative innovation.