The library expansion in development for Wimberley, Texas, will increase services to the community and provide a teaching tool on how to live within the environment. The design for the renovation of the existing 8,000-square-foot library and the 8,000-square-foot expansion embraces the site in the heart of Hill Country, preserving mature oak and elm trees and collecting and treating stormwater to reflect the community’s “One Water” initiative.
Sneak Peek: A Library for the Environment
The two buildings come together to create a courtyard and are connected by a bridge building spanning over a creek bed and channel stormwater, emphasizing the connection to nature. The original library feels like a cottage, and the expansion is treated like a barn. The original structure is built of stone and promotes a warm, homey feel; the addition is an expansive, high-volume, utilitarian space. It will include the children’s library, youth services, a demonstration kitchen, meeting space and a flexible makerspace, which opens to an outdoor patio.
All the design decisions were rooted in sustainable design principles, reflecting local priorities. The siting of the building, the sloping of the roof and the massing will increase operating efficiency, boost natural light and create direct connections to the environment.
