Atherton Library

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"A centerpiece of Atherton, California\u2019s decades-long quest to\nrevitalize its aging town square, the town\u2019s new library is a welcoming oasis\nand a prime destination for the community. The LEED Gold-certified and zero net\nenergy-ready building is reflective of the modern library\u2019s evolution from\nsimple book depository to vibrant civic hub. It replaces a much older facility\nwith nearly double the square footage and a wide range of programs that\nreinforce San Mateo County Libraries\u2019 tagline, Open for Exploration. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The new light-filled library sits on the same wooded site as the\ntown\u2019s recently constructed civic center and is adjacent to Atherton\u2019s historic\ntown hall, which was also seismically retrofitted and modernized to serve as\nthe library event space. The library connects to the hall through a grand front\nporch and other nearby structures through planted pathways and ample windows. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"At its center, the library contains a sky-lit reading area that\nmaintains connections to its makerspace and community spaces through a series\nof portals set among the stacks and a glazed curtain wall. Meeting rooms and\nmulti-use spaces are distributed across its main spine. The north end hosts the\nchildren\u2019s collection, where young readers are greeted with comfortable chairs\nand intimate seating nooks that provide moments of refuge and relaxation.\nThere, a folding glass door wall runs the length of the entrance and opens onto\nthe front porch. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The teen and adult sections anchor the library\u2019s southern wing and\nare designed to encourage engagement that spans generational divides. An\nindoor-outdoor makerspace and digital lab, both with views of nearby redwoods,\nrun along the western edge. A true resource for lifelong learning, the\nlibrary\u2019s program also includes senior resource, work, and reading rooms. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The team employed a simple material palette and plan that has\nlessened the library\u2019s energy loads while also reflecting biophilic principles.\nA wooden trellis frames the library\u2019s alcoved foyer, while the building itself\ncurves to embrace the surrounding trees and terraces. Clerestory windows and\ndoors, which have high-performing glazing, filter daylight throughout the\nbuilding, while rammed earth walls create thermal mass. While the team\u2019s design\nrelies on passive cooling, natural ventilation can be augmented with efficient\nunderfloor systems in extreme months. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"To ensure the Atherton\ncommunity is served now and, in the future, the nearly $20 million project was\nfully funded and will be sustained through tax revenue. It was built by local\ncontractors and subcontractors, many of whom access the library regularly with\ntheir families. The library was also designed to include an eventual cafe,\nproviding future opportunities for local businesses that add value for library\npatrons. "]]]]}