THE SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
by
SOPHIA WENTLANDT
A THESIS
Presented to the Department of Architecture 
and the Robert D. Clark Honors College 
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of 
Bachelor of Architecture
June 2020
AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF
Sophia Wentlandt for the degree of Bachelor of Architecture
in the Department of Architecture to be taken June 2020
Title: The Springfield Public Library
Approved:                   Virginia Cartwright                 
Primary Thesis Advisor
The current Springfield Public Library building is spatially and organizationally 
inadequate considering the evolving and diverse needs of the library. This thesis lays 
out a design proposal for a new building, integrated with a new Head Start Early 
Learning Center. First, understanding the historical, urban, cultural, and climatic 
context of the new library frames its current goals. A precedent review, several 
interviews, and on-site data collection inform this background. Next, the design 
proposes creating a building composed of three north-south oriented bars, echoing the 
surrounding urban fabric, with the middle bar acting as a “living room” for the library. 
From the initial concept, five sections—site design, program organization, structure, 
sustainability, and user experience—develop the proposal and show specific solutions 
for each goal.
ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I’d like to thank Professor Virginia Cartwright, my primary thesis 
advisor, who has poured dozens of hours into guiding this project. Your prodding, 
encouragement, suggestions, and questions have been behind each success of my 
design. Your teaching has made me a better designer. I’m also grateful for Dr. Dare 
Baldwin and Randy Nishimura, my other two committee members, for their continued 
support. Thank you, Dare, for being a voice of “You can do it!” Randy, thank you for 
generously giving your time to educate me about the Eugene Library, and then staying 
on to help with the Springfield Library. I’d like to thank the several people I 
interviewed to gain insight for the project, who each gave me lots of time and a unique 
perspective, from the Eugene Library, Springfield Library, and Head Start of Lane 
County. Finally, I’d like to thank my husband, Tanner, who has listened to more 
information about libraries than he ever asked to hear, and supported me in more ways 
than I can name. As this 73-page chapter comes to a close, I’m excited to take on the 
next one together.
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iv
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Cincinnati Public Library  3
Figure 2: Enoch Pratt Free Library  5
Figure 3: District of Columbia Public Library  6
Figure 4: Eugene Public Library Exterior  9
Figure 5: Eugene Public Library Back of House 13
Figure 6: Eugene Public Library Children’s Section 15
Figure 7: Eugene Public Library Atrium 16
Figure 8: City Map 27
Figure 9: Neighborhood Map 28
Figure 10: Block Diagrams 30
Figure 11: Public House 31
Figure 12: City Hall 31
Figure 13: Stevens Perkins 31
Figure 14: Parti Diagram 33
Figure 15: Node Diagram 34
Figure 16: Entry Rendering 35
Figure 17: Site Plan 36
Figure 18: Site Section 37
Figure 19: Program Diagram 38
Figure 20: First Floor 40
Figure 21: Second Floor 42
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Figure 22: Third Floor 44
LIST OF FIGURES, CONT.
Figure 23: N-S Section 46
Figure 24: E-W Section 47
Figure 25: Frame Diagram 49
Figure 26: Separation Diagram 49
Figure 27: U-Plate 49
Figure 28: Structural Bay Diagram 50
Figure 29: Structural Plan – First Floor 51
Figure 30: Structural Plan – Second Floor 52
Figure 31: Atrium Rendering – Daytime 53
Figure 32: Atrium Rendering – Nighttime 54
Figure 33: Roof Drainage 55
Figure 34: Bioswale Section 56
Figure 35: 2.5H Rule 56
Figure 36: Geothermal Heat Pump Diagram 58
Figure 37: Section Through Window Head 59
Figure 38: Natural Ventilation 60
Figure 39: South Elevation 63
Figure 40: North Elevation 63
Figure 41: East Elevation 65
Figure 42: West Elevation 65
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Figure 43: Entering 66
LIST OF FIGURES, CONT.
Figure 44: Going up the Stairs 67
Figure 45: Moving from Public to Private 68
Figure 46: Arriving at the Destination 69
Figure 47: Color Palette 70
vii
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Major Goals 22
Table 2: Library Needs 23
Table 3: Head Start Needs 24
Table 4: Program List 26
viii
INTRODUCTION
“Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up
windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and
contribute to improving our quality of life.”
Sidney Sheldon
Monday, 6:47 PM. Preschoolers and parents overflow the story corner, spilling 
into the surrounding aisles, laughing at a rousing rendition of Dragons Love Tacos. In 
the teen zone, three freshmen are deep in animated conversation, drawing glances from 
the adults trying to focus at the adjacent computers. Two librarians weave through the 
sections, returning books. A young professional is camped out by the windows, 
charging an impossible number of devices. A steady stream of people hesitate at the 
front desk, wondering where the Wordcrafter’s Workshop is happening. The librarian 
pauses work to print a sign.
The Springfield Public Library is a vibrant piece of its community, bringing 
together people from all across the city’s demographic lines in one of the only true 
public spaces in the city. With 20,000 active library cards, robust programming, and 
crucial services, it’s a major contributor to quality of life in Springfield. However, the 
library’s current facilities have become a barrier to providing these assets. A 50% 
increase in programs over the last decade has not come with any increase in space. The 
library struggles to find room for large community events like Día de los Niños, or even
for day-to-day programming like story times and staff meetings. Several sections that 
have increased in usage (teens, computer spaces, etc.) need expansion, and new sections
(makerspace, teaching kitchen) should be added. More general problems—like minimal 
natural light, little acoustic separation, and insufficient electric outlets—also demand 
attention.
In response to these issues, the Springfield Library is hoping to build a new 
facility with adequate space and updated design. Due to budget pressure, the library is 
teaming up with Lane County’s Head Start program to create a joint building, with the 
benefit of pooling resources and encouraging crossover in services. In 2017, the library 
worked with FFA Architecture + Interiors to create a basic design proposal, and are 
now working with John Stapleton of Pivot Architecture to create an integrated Head 
Start and Library design.
This thesis will lay out a detailed proposal for the new library’s design, given 
the currently selected site and program. After covering several background issues, the 
thesis will present the suggested site and program response, and then move through a 
number of specific issues like structure, sustainability, and material palette. The 
project’s aim is both to synthesize the first four years of my training in a realistic 
project, and to contribute useful ideas to the library’s final design.
2
A BRIEF HISTORY OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE UNITED 
STATES
Similar to the bodies of research that provide foundations for new scientific 
hypotheses, the past and current built environment gives new architecture roots. 
Understanding the library typology and its evolution in the US not only fills out the 
question “what makes a good library?” but helps anchor the new library in its historical 
context. Looking at the last 180 years of public library trends elucidates the function of 
libraries in America, how that has changed, and what a library is today.
The earliest libraries in the US were designed around a single function: storing 
books. Libraries like the Astor Library (1848) and Harvard’s Gore Hall (1841) were 
more accurately called “book halls,” as
they were tailored to the task of storing
books as efficiently (and grandly) as 
possible, with very limited public 
access.1,2 Many libraries were only 
open a few hours a week.3 These halls 
were generally one rectangular room, 
sometimes with multiple gallery levels,
and shelving arranged perpendicular to 
1 David Kaser, The Evolution of the American Academic Library Building, (Lanham, MD: The Scarecrow
Press, 1997) p. 16
2 Donald Oehlerts, Books and Blueprints; Building America’s Public Libraries, (Westport, CT: 
Greenwood Press, 1991) p. 18
3 Kaser Evolution p. 9
3
the walls, leaving an open space in the center.4 Librarians were in charge of retrieving 
books for patrons. In the 1880s, library architecture switched decisively away from the 
“book hall” typology, favoring multiple spaces for books, reading, and librarian duties.5 
As public libraries became an increasing fixture in American cities, the focus of new 
buildings shifted from book storage to accommodating readers. This created a new 
“reading room” typology, with voluminous, multistory spaces dedicated to reading, and 
book rooms branching off from those.6 Larger libraries began arranging shelves to 
create separate rooms for different subjects or collections. Dedicated “children’s areas” 
began cropping up in the 1890s.7 The new profession of “librarian” also led to many 
developments in the theory of library building.8
The next major factor in the development of public libraries in the US was 
Andrew Carnegie’s funding of 1,679 new libraries built between 1899 and 1917.9 
Before this time, most libraries were located in large cities, such as Boston and New 
York. Carnegie’s philanthropic program allowed small and mid-size towns across 
America to build their own facilities. Many towns saw the library as an opportunity for 
the improvement of their populace, providing community spaces for learning and 
recreation, and discouraging patronage of the local saloons.10 Several proposals sent to 
Carnegie included plans for gymnasiums, city halls, or eating areas.11 A few actually 
4 Kaser Evolution pp. 4-5
5 Kaser Evolution p. 36
6 Oehlerts Books p. 36
7 Martha Conner, Outline of the History of the Development of the American Public Library, (Chicago: 
American Library Association, 1931) p. 31
8 Conner Outline pp. 46-54
9 Oehlerts Books p. 61
10 George Bobinski, “Carnegie Libraries: Their History and Impact on American Public Library 
Development,” ALA Bulletin, Vol. 62, No. 11 (Dec. 1968), p. 1363
11 Bobinski “Carnegie” p. 1364
4
were built to include recreation facilities, meeting rooms, or swimming pools, 
effectively turning the library into a full community center.12 These rare instances 
prefigured the 21st century conception of libraries as a key community “third place” 
(place besides work and home).
Libraries built between 1900
and World War II settled into a
comfortable pattern of large reading
rooms, with tall windows and open
book shelving around the perimeter,
and tables, chairs, and table lamps
filling the center. The majority of the
book collection was held in smaller
rooms of bookstacks. This approach is
typified by the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, completed in 1933, and still in 
use today.13 Library building slowed during World Wars I and II and the Great 
Depression, limiting innovation.14
Post-war, the reading room method gave way to a new modular approach to 
library design.15 This often led to a “sandwich” or “layer cake” design: stacked single-
height spaces instead of the multistory volumes used by earlier buildings.16 These 
12 Oehlerts Books p. 62
13 Oehlerts Books pp. 78-79
14 Oehlerts Books p. 83
15 Kaser Evolution p. 129
16 Oehlerts Books p. 104
5
changes were assisted by a couple key innovations. First, until the post-war era, 
bookshelves had been constructed as structural bookstacks, made of iron or steel that 
supported the weight of the books and 
channeled it to the ground. This made 
higher spaces much more efficient than 
single story book rooms—or if the 
space was vertically divided, the 
bookstacks needed to remain in a direct
vertical line.17 Post-war, buildings 
moved to a system where the dead load of books was transferred to the overall 
structural system of the building, instead of being an independent structure.18 This 
meant that bookshelves did not have to have any particular order between floors, and 
could be interspersed with reading and service spaces. A rapid departure from the rigid 
division of functions followed. A second innovation that allowed for even more 
flexibility involved building materials. Carpet and suspended ceilings created an 
acoustic deadening effect, meaning that reading and study spaces did not have to be 
quarantined in dedicated quiet spaces.19 The District of Columbia Public Library by 
Mies van der Rohe (completed 1972) translates these innovations into a three-story 
stack of completely open-plan floors, punctuated only by the regular column grid.20
A 1970 treatise on the modern library distills the function of a public library to 
facilitating a cycle of four operations: “1. the location of the information, 2. the retrieval
17 Kaser Evolution pp. 107-111
18 Kaser Evolution pp. 111-116
19 Kaser Evolution p. 121
20 Oehlerts Books p. 112
6
of the information from storage, 3. the communication of the information to the user, 4. 
the return of the information to storage.”21 Library theorists have seen the library’s role 
as the improvement of the general population through learning for most of the 19th and 
20th centuries.22 These four elements seem to capture the functions needed to help that 
goal. Yet, the rise of the internet shook this conception to the core. With access to a far 
greater store of information than any physical library on the internet, and the beginning 
of computers in private homes, the information-centric mission of the library became 
nearly obsolete. Many theorists in the 1990s and early 2000s argued that the library as a
typology might no longer be necessary—“not only is its physical presence as public 
space questionable, but its immaterial reality is debatable as well, as it either stands at 
the brink of a new frontier, or at the point of disappearing altogether.”23 A new 
movement of “anti-buildings” has performed radical experiments in what a library can 
be and how it functions. Designs like the Seattle Public Library (OMA/LMN, 2004) or 
the Brabant Library (MVRDV, unbuilt) examine how the library can integrate books 
and technology, and find new ways of interacting with the community.24
21 Michael Brawne, Libraries: Architecture and Equipment, (New York: Praeger Publishers, 1970) p. 31
22 Michael Harris, The Role of the Public Library in American Life: A Speculative Essay, (Champaign: 
University of Illinois, Graduate School of Library Science, 1975) pp. 2-3
23 Rients Dijkstra, The Architecture of Knowledge: The Library of the Future, (Rotterdam: NAI 
Publishers, 2010) p. 11
24 Dijkstra, Architecture, pp. 62 & 97
7
CASE STUDY: THE EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
What is a library today? With the past three decades of questioning the library’s 
usefulness, the Eugene Public Library hasn’t seemed to suffer. Currently, the library 
provides vital services for an ever-increasing number of people—the number of visitors 
increased 10% just over the last measurement period in 2017.25 This case study will 
examine how the physical building, programming, and personnel work together to 
create a successful library in 2020. Studying a thriving local precedent provides 
additional context and understanding to design the Springfield Library.
To gather information on the library, I interviewed three people critical to the 
library’s development and current functioning. The first, Randall Nishimura, is an 
architect at the Eugene firm Robertson Sherwood Architects. Along with East Coast 
firm SBRA (now called Shepley Bulfinch), he designed the current library, opened in 
2002. The second, LaVena Nohrenberg, has been the library’s Customer Experience 
Manager for a decade, and oversees all aspects of the library’s functioning that directly 
affect patrons. The third, Hadley Brown, works as a Youth Services Librarian. Finally, I
drew from personal experience. I conducted focused observation to supplement my 
knowledge as a regular library patron (cardholder since 2003).
The library in its place: time and geographic location. Before 2002, the 
EPL (Eugene Public Library) was housed in a 37,000 square foot single story building 
25“About the Library,” Eugene Public Library Foundation website
8
from 1959 (that had in turn been built to replace a tiny 1906 Carnegie Library).26 The 
city of Eugene began looking to replace the library in the late 1980s, hiring Robertson 
Sherwood to analyze three potential downtown sites.27 After several starts and stops, the
city chose a block at the southwest corner of Eugene’s downtown area, next to the city’s
main bus terminal. This location, also close to pedestrian and bike streets, allowed the 
library to be accessible to elderly and disabled residents who rely on the bus system, 
besides people traveling by car, bike, or on foot. The nearby Broadway Avenue is also a
corridor for the unhoused, placing the library in a convenient spot to provide shelter and
places to be. Although the downtown Lane Community College campus wasn’t built for
another decade after the library, the library’s position next door creates a sort of 
educational hub for the community. Eugene’s downtown is low-density, so the edges of 
the block are not high-traffic zones. The architects chose to focus the building’s street 
engagement on the northeast corner, which had the highest pedestrian traffic. The west 
face is removed from the street edge to 
allow room for the children’s 
courtyard, and the south side presents a
minimally open façade on to the alley 
behind. In form and material, the 
architects sought to avoid building a 
trendy exterior (in the process 
offending both the traditionalists and 
the avant-garde).28 The barrel vaulted roof “might allude to old mills at one time,” but 
26 “Library FY09 Service Profile,” Citizen Subcommittee of the Budget Committee, Feb. 27, 2008, p. 1
27 Randy Nishimura, “The Library Chronicles—Part 1,” SW Oregon Architect, Dec. 30, 2012
28 Nishimura, “Library”
9
the choice was mostly intuitive—the shape just fit with the building and surroundings.29 
The choice of brick as an exterior finish was more intentional: the scale and 
craftsmanship gave the library a welcoming human touch, and the connection to local 
historic buildings grounds the structure in its location. On the interior, the double height
reading room on the second floor hearkens back to the reading rooms of the pre-WWII 
era. The floor plan teases apart functions and groups them in zones, leaving behind the 
free plans of libraries like van der Rohe’s District of Columbia Public Library.
Sustainability. The EPL was the first project in the area to attempt LEED 
certification, while the LEED program was still in beta. While a variety of complex 
factors prevented the building from receiving the designation, it included several 
pioneering strategies. Most centered around lighting. Professor G.Z. Brown of the 
University of Oregon’s Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory consulted on the 
project, and provided input on daylighting and ventilation.30 The building’s electric 
lighting is programmed to respond to daylight levels, providing even light levels 
throughout the space and cutting down on wasted energy. Shading is also mechanized 
and coordinated with light levels. On a more basic level, the bookshelves are arranged 
to allow the greatest daylight penetration down the aisles.
The library in the community. According to Norhenberg, “the one role [only] we
play is equal access. This is the one place where the rich doctor, the unhoused teen, the 
mom of six kids all get the exact same access. That is the beauty…of our library.” This 
29 Kelly Kenoyer, “Eugene Design: The Good and the Awful,” Eugene Weekly, Mar. 8, 2018.
30 Roman Gohkman, “A New Page for Eugene’s Library,” The Daily Emerald, Jan. 6, 2003
10
is a sharp contrast to the 20th century view that defined the library by the information it 
contains. Instead of framing the library’s role in terms of what it holds, the EPL looks at
who it’s for. Then, from this community-centric starting point, more specific roles 
emerge. One of the most critical functions of the library is providing internet access to 
those who cannot afford it. Today, the internet is a prerequisite for functioning in the 
world. Online, you can apply for a job or an apartment, look up your school 
assignments, or sign up for healthcare. Internet access at the library gives low-income 
individuals agency to perform those tasks, as well as communicate on social media or 
email. A second crucial role is helping kids learn to read. Studies have shown that 
reaching a third-grade reading level on time is a major predictor of future success in 
school, work, and society. To reach that third-grade goal in turn requires consistent 
language learning from infancy. The library comes alongside caregivers with 
programming tailored to boost early learning. Beyond these two major functions, the 
library’s roles are as diverse as the people they serve.
Programming. The library’s programming is designed to support the needs of the 
community. Specific to the role of providing internet access, the library provides large 
banks of reservable computers on the second floor. They also provide adaptive 
technology for users with disabilities, and even have a small laptop lending program. 
Computer classes, geared towards older adults, are offered periodically. To support their
role helping kids learn to read, the library provides (first of all) books! Initiatives like 
the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the summer reading program, and the new no-
fine rule for children’s books, all create opportunities for kids to have books in their 
11
home. Their second major kid program is providing twice-a-day story times, for infants 
through early elementary. Depending on the target age, these offer chances for kids and 
caregivers to bond, chances for kids to play with each other, crafts, and more, besides 
listening to a book read by library staff. Beyond the children’s area, books remain 
absolutely central to the library’s programs. The library holds over 500,000 physical 
items (mostly books), with an annual circulation over 2 million.31 The reading room, as 
well as comfortable furniture positioned near the windows on every level, encourage 
patrons to stay and read. Nishimura felt that even in the 21st century, an essential 
experience of the library remained “the act of removing a book from the shelf and 
taking it to a light-filled place to read” (to paraphrase Louis Kahn). Many adult and teen
events build community through author visits, book groups, or discussion. A varied 
array of other events center on recreation (like an afternoon last year where staff turned 
the second-floor reading room into a lasertag course), or cultural experiences (like the 
many concerts and dance performances that take advantage of the central atrium’s 
vibrant acoustics). Finally, the newest addition to the library’s offerings is the 
makerspace on the second floor. Featuring equipment like a 3-D printer, sewing 
machines, and recording equipment, nearly 1,500 people used the space in 2017.32 
These programs are rapidly expanding, and the library is innovating each year (the first 
literature on library makerspaces was only released in 2014).33
31 “Library FY09,” p. 1
32 “About the Library”
33 Caitlin Bagley, Makerspaces: Top Trailblazing Projects, (Chicago: ALA TechSource, 2014)
12
Back of house & maintenance. 
To allow the forward-facing library 
programs to run smoothly, the library 
needs its service spaces to function 
efficiently. The library’s automated 
book return and sorting system was 
state-of-the-art at its installation in 
2003, costing $2 million, and continues
to function well.34 Books are brought 
from drop-off points in the lobby, by the front doors, and at the drive-through alley onto
a single belt. RFID scanners register the book and then it’s automatically sorted onto 
carts labelled by section (i.e., second floor CDs). These carts are then alphabetized, 
wheeled to the corresponding section, and the books go back on the shelf. Besides the 
book sorting area and spaces for book labelling and repair, the rest of the service spaces 
are devoted to administrative offices and storage. Office and work areas for the 130 
staff are distributed along the south side of the building, giving them consistent natural 
light, while insulating the larger spaces from massive heat gain. The library also 
requires constant maintenance to keep patrons comfortable. A dedicated crew performs 
nightly cleanings, as well as multiple bathroom cleanings through the day. An easily 
discolored material on the bathroom floors creates frequent requests for cleanings. 
Other than the bathroom floors, the building has proved to be well-built, with very 
minimal need for expensive maintenance projects. Because of the library’s heavy 
traffic, the furniture creates the greatest long-term needs for repair and replacement.
34 Gohkman, “New Page”
13
Getting along: security. As Nohrenberg explains, when 3,000 diverse people rub 
shoulders in the same building each day, conflict is unavoidable. The library has 
carefully focused its security measures on the goal of helping every patron, even those 
who have caused trouble, to be able to enjoy the library in safety. Only 2-8 cases each 
week (remarkably low for the number of users) result in month-or-more restrictions 
from library use. Without a network of security cameras, the library relies on two 
strategies: security measures built in to the building’s design, and trained personnel. 
Personnel are stationed at the single library entrance to monitor who comes and goes. 
They also wander the building checking on patrons, and are encouraged to develop 
relationships with regular users. The library floor plans are also designed to maximize 
sightlines for librarians standing at the information counters, so staff can keep an eye on
happenings.
The children’s section. How does the physical structure of the children’s area 
support the library’s literacy-focused programming? First off, the area needs to be safe 
for all children. Continuing the topic of security, the children’s section is built to 
prevent dangerous situations. There is a bottlenecked entrance, right next to the 
children’s librarians, so the staff can monitor everyone who comes and goes. The 
bookshelves are significantly reduced in height, both so children can reach all the books
and so that librarians can see the location of any adults. As in the adult sections, the 
aisles are oriented to maximize sightlines. The outdoor courtyard is only accessible 
from the kids section, with high walls blocking it from street access. Beyond creating a 
14
safe space, the children’s area is designed to let kids be kids without intruding on the 
rest of the library. The space is acoustically isolated from the rest of the building, and 
large, absorbent “clouds” hang from the
ceiling to dampen noise. Snacks are 
also allowed in the kids section. There 
are places to sit on windowsills and in 
short chairs, and toys available. Aside 
from the main space, an event room 
houses the story times, with storage for 
crafts and props. The event space is in 
need of expansion, though, as staff 
regularly have to turn families away 
because the space is full.
15
Accommodating disabilities. The
entire library is designed to comply
with current ADA (Americans with
Disabilities Act) requirements. Given
its accessibility, combined with
sheltered disability parking spots and
proximity to the bus terminal, the
library welcomes a high number of
patrons with disabilities. Beyond
allowing physical access throughout
the building, the library also provides
adaptive resources so users can enjoy
the same services. The library has large collections of audiobooks and adaptive 
technology for computer use. Spots to slide a wheelchair up to a table are interspersed 
through the reading areas. But is the experience of a disabled user truly equivalent to a 
non-disabled patron? The main difference in experience centers on the atrium. The 
library’s showstopper architectural move is a four-story spiral staircase, covered with a 
glass roof, allowing daylight to pour down into the heart of the building. The floor and 
ceiling patterns of the lobby are all shaped to emphasize the atrium space. For a user 
with limited mobility, this atrium is removed from their experience of traveling through 
the building, as they cannot use the stairs. The elevator bank, while functional (it’s not 
at all hidden) is relegated to an outside corner of the lobby. Integrating the elevators into
the atrium space would have allowed for a more equivalent experience of the library for
16
disabled patrons. This does come with other considerations, though: creating a central, 
beautiful staircase (and moving the elevators away) encourages more people to take the 
stairs, cutting down on energy usage and integrating much-needed exercise into 
people’s day.
What’s next? Currently, the Eugene Library occupies the first three floors of its 
building, with the fourth floor rented out to other city offices. The space was left as 
undesignated room for future expansion. The library is in the very beginning phases of 
that project—looking for new homes for the departments currently located in the space. 
Given the function-specific design of the first three floors, they aren’t easily 
transformed into large event venues or lasertag arenas. Nohrenberg’s mantra for future 
expansion is “flex” space. As the library’s roles multiply, programming needs are 
becoming increasingly diverse. In its position as a place of unparalleled access, event 
attendance grows every year. The makerspace is poised for expansion. With all of these 
considerations, the fourth floor needs to be designed to adapt for changing day-to-day 
and year-to-year purposes. Nohrenberg hopes the lighting will be similarly adaptable. In
the current spaces, lighting is largely automated in sync with daylight, preventing fine-
grain flexibility. Future spaces would ideally allow for more control, and offer a variety 
of options to transform the space, like spotlighting or stage lights. Finally, the new 
space needs a sizeable amount of storage. With the frequent reorganizing of the 
library’s spaces and large amounts of event equipment, the library has had to rely on 
rented storage spaces for several years. Storing as much as possible on-site makes 
setting up events and rearranging shelves way more efficient. With the new space—
17
storage, lighting, flex zones and all—the EPL hopes to continue expanding its role as a 
place for all members of the community to learn, build relationships, and have fun.
The Eugene Public Library is growing in to a new era of libraries—not as 
merely places to gain information, but places of equal access and community growth in 
a segmented period. The EPL is well-loved and well-used by its community. Its positive
impact is inextricably tied to the success of its building. Creating an effective physical 
framework is fundamental to the library’s growth, usability, and beauty. In designing 
the Springfield Public Library, I hope to learn from the many technical details that 
allow the EPL to function smoothly and thrive. Studying the EPL in its historical 
context and in the community also provides a basis to root my design in its time and 
place. Looking at the questions of “what were the libraries of the past?” and “what is a 
library today?” prepares me to tackle the next question: what will be the library of the 
future?
18
THE NEW SPRINGFIELD LIBRARY: GOALS & PROGRAM
Woven into the fabric of a unique community and landscape, the Springfield 
Library’s needs and goals don’t always follow the template of other precedents. Before 
launching into design, my studio classmates and I spent time talking with the Library 
Director, Emily David, and the current project architect, John Stapleton, to better 
understand the project’s goals and challenges. Additionally, we toured the current 
library and studied the proposed site and surrounding area. We also examined the needs 
assessment and programmatic design created by FFA in 2017.35 In combination, these 
resources create clear guidelines for the new design.
Basic statistics. Basic data about the library’s usage is a crucial starting point for 
determining spatial needs. Currently, the library (with a staff of 15) serves a population 
of 61,000 people, with 20,000 holding active library cards. The library is well-used, 
hosting about 170,000 visits a year. Printed materials remain the core of the library’s 
program, with 338,000 items checked out annually, three times the number of online 
materials checked out. Their 507 events per year draw around 22,000 people, showing 
that events are becoming another core piece of the library’s role. The largest event of 
the year, Día de los Niños, draws 850-1,000 people. The second largest, Día de los 
Muertos, currently peaks at 450 people.36 In the next 20 years, Springfield’s population 
35 “Public Library Needs Assessment of Services and Programmatic Facility Design – Phase I” (Portland,
OR: FFA Architecture and Interiors, 2017)
36 All previous Springfield Library Statistics are from Emily David.
19
is projected to grow by 10,000 people, so the new facility should anticipate a 
corresponding growth in library usage.37
Demographics. While the library welcomes patrons across Springfield’s 
demographic range, there are a few notable populations the library is particularly 
concerned about accommodating. For the Latinx community, the library has worked to 
develop a large collection of Spanish books and resources. The library’s two largest 
events are also centered around this community, although they draw people from every 
demographic. Second, the majority of the library’s programming is focused on youth, 
all the way from zero to 18. Providing space and education for kids, families, and teens 
is central to the library’s mission. Third, the library serves a large population of people 
with mental or physical disabilities. This has major implications for building design, 
influencing issues like acoustics, accessibility, and materials. The library provides 
resources for EZ Cares, a program for kids with disabilities, so that impacts 
requirements for the children’s area. Finally, the library provides shelter and a place to 
be during the day for many of the area’s unhoused residents. Welcoming these people 
alongside the rest of the library’s users requires careful spatial arrangement, plentiful 
access to resources like charging outlets and restrooms, and thought put into 
furnishings.
The current library: positives. While the current library’s many problems form 
the drive to build a new facility, there are a couple aspects of the current building that 
37 Xiaomin Ruan, “Coordinated Population Forecast for Lane County, its Urban Growth Boundaries 
(UGB), and Area Outside UGBs; 2015-2065” (Portland, OR: Population Research Center, Portland State 
University, 2015) p.7
20
the community would love to see carried over. Emily David explained that the current 
library feels inviting and unintimidating, without a big institutional presence. The 
library does not present a big street-front façade, but is approached through a plaza, up a
broad set of stairs, across a covered balcony area, and then through a short corridor. 
Upon entering, you’re immediately greeted by bookshelves and the librarian desk. All 
one story and tightly fit into the space, the building feels cozy and welcoming to the 
public. Second, Springfield’s city government appreciates that the library brings the 
public into regular proximity with government spaces. The library is currently housed in
the same building as city hall and several other government functions, providing an 
unintimidating entry point. City officials hope to maintain this connection, even with 
the library’s relocation next door.
The new library building: challenges. FFA, in their needs assessment for the 
new library, outlined an overarching set of nine goals defined by the library’s leadership
(see next page). Besides these broad targets, Emily David mentioned six practical 
measures the library is hoping to see implemented in the new building. First of all, the 
library needs more space. The building’s current 25,000 square feet is just not cutting it
—FFA’s assessment recommended more than doubling the area to total 52,000 square 
feet. Second, the building needs flexibility for programming. As the diversity of the 
library’s offerings grow, the space must be able to adapt for events of all types. 
However, the library must maintain acoustic separation (third), to help varying activities
and populations exist in harmony. Accommodating diverse needs also requires 
accessibility, keeping the library and all its services within reach for everyone. 
21
22
Fifth, the building needs to use and have space for new technology, as that realm has 
expanded dramatically since the current building’s debut in 1979. Finally, the new 
space should maximize use of natural light, to conserve energy and to make the library a
more pleasant place to enjoy.
The new library building: wish list. Diving even deeper into the specifics, David
lined out several spatial ideas the library leadership is hoping to fit in the new space. 
Some qualify as needs, integral to the design of the new building, others are easily 
accommodated, and a few (specifically those relating to integration of Head Start and 
23
library functions) are rendered unlikely by code or security restrictions. The table above
shows which items fall in each category.
The new library building: Head Start. Besides the 52,000 square feet of 
proposed space for library function, the current plans call for an additional 10,000 to 
13,000 square feet devoted to Head Start. With
mostly distinct programming from the library,
Head Start brings its own needs and goals to
the table. To get an understanding beyond the
given program documents, I interviewed
Johanna Talbert, a current teacher at Head
Start of Lane County, and studied the Head
Start Design Guide put out by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
From this information, I distilled seven goals
for the new facility, depicted in the graphic
below.
The new library building: program. Bringing together the basic calculations by 
FFA, the current working program from John Stapleton at Pivot, and information from 
my own discussions with library and Head Start staff, the table below gives a 
24
comprehensive list of square footage requirements for the new building. This 
foundational chart creates the puzzle pieces to be fit together into a complete design.
25
26
THE URBAN LIBRARY: SITE ANALYSIS
 “7. Urban Design: Serve as a catalyst for downtown development, 
engaging the sidewalk from a pedestrian and retail perspective, 
accessible to local businesses.”
In its new site, the Springfield Library aims to activate the intersection of 5th and
A Street, expanding the downtown with a new node off of Main Street. Looking at the 
nine main goals for the library, several relate to the library’s exterior relationship to the 
site and community. The new library should be accessible to all, a catalyst for 
development, highly engaging, and reflective of Springfield’s heritage. Breaking down 
27
these big goals, we can look at specific architectural tools to accomplish those 
objectives. Understanding the site allows for the most effective use of those tools.
The site: relationship to the city. Within the city of Springfield, the library is 
located at the western edge (off of 5th Street, while the city extends east to 79th Street), 
one block north of Main Street, which is the central E-W axis uniting the city. It’s two 
blocks east of Pioneer Parkway, one of the largest N-S streets. Locating near these axes 
gives better access to users coming from Thurston (west) or Gateway (north). With 
proximity to downtown, Springfield Station (the city’s main bus terminal), and the 
residential Washburne neighborhood, the new library is also positioned to be accessible 
to pedestrians and cyclists.
28
The site: heritage. Springfield’s history is inextricably tied to the timber industry. 
The library’s site is just a few blocks from the former Booth Kelly sawmill, the city’s 
largest employer for most of the 20th century.38 The millrace and ponds are now a park, 
and are slowly being restored to native wetland. While the environmental protections 
put in place for the Northern Spotted Owl in 1990 devastated Oregon’s timber industry, 
wood remains a vital part of Springfield’s economy, whether through sawmills, lumber 
distributors, a paper mill, or an acoustic wood ceiling manufacturer.39 9Wood, Swanson 
Group Manufacturing, and Rosboro are all within walking distance of the library’s site. 
This heritage gives “Plank Town” (as Springfield is nicknamed) a gritty fabric, where 
industrial areas, retail, homes, and public spaces all exist in close proximity. Often 
stereotyped as the blue-collar sister of Eugene, the city lacks pretentiousness.
38 Michelle Dennis, Springfield Historic Context Statement, (Springfield, OR, 1999) p. 23-24
39 Rob Manning, “Spotted Owl Surviving 20 Years After Controversial Decision” (Oregon Public 
Broadcasting, 2010)
29
The site: urban design. Located in
the oldest section of Springfield, the
library’s site is near several historic 
buildings and is within the zone of intact 
block structure, which dissolves further 
from the core. Along Main Street, and to a
lesser extent along A Street, the buildings 
share party walls, presenting a continuous façade that comes right up to the sidewalk. 
Service access is through a midblock alley parallel to the E-W street. Most of the 
buildings are one to two stories tall, with one five-story building a block away. The 
30
residential blocks north of the library follow a similar pattern of buildings facing the E-
W street with a mid-block service alley, but the homes are all separate and set back 
from the street. Notable buildings in the library’s vicinity include Public House, the city
hall, and the Stevens Perkins building. Public House, a family-friendly food and beer 
hall immediately adjacent to the library, is in a historic former church from the 1930s.40 
Carefully restored, the building’s pitched roofs, textured exterior, and tall stained glass 
windows are a local landmark. The city hall, originally designed as a shopping mall in 
1979, is a less beloved but equally distinctive feature in the landscape. Perched on 
columns above a sea of parking, the pancake building spans multiple city blocks, 
covering the intersection of 6th and A Street. Covered in white stucco, it gives a 
monolithic presence. Its most welcoming feature is the generous plaza at the corner of 
5th and A. A fountain, trees, and a cascade of broadening stairs contribute to make the 
space a popular summer living room.41 Finally, the Stevens Perkins building, completed 
in 1911 and located a block away on Main Street, is one of the oldest buildings in 
downtown and a defining part of the urban language. Its light, sandy brick, which 
amplifies the light along Main Street, has been picked up by other important structures, 
like the Springfield Station terminal.42
40 Michael Tobin, “Church of Beer” (Eugene Weekly, Sept. 19, 2018)
Image: Joel Gorthy, “Tastings: Taking it to the Streets” (The Register Guard, Sept. 1, 2019) 
41 Image: “Springfield Public Library” (Eugene, Cascades & Oregon Coast Visitor Information)
42 Image: Tom, Adams. “We’re Trying to Really Change the Culture and Texture of Who’s Downtown 
in Springfield” (KVAL, Jan. 5, 2019) 
31
THE URBAN LIBRARY: SITE PLAN
Inspiration for the new library’s site plan comes directly from the surrounding 
block plans. The building is divided into three 36’ wide bars, roughly the lot width of 
the storefronts along Main Street. Each three-story bar has a gabled roof, with the pitch 
matched to the roof of Public House next 
door. The main façade faces A Street, 
continuing the pattern of buildings facing 
the E-W streets. However, the middle and 
east bars are pulled back slightly from the 
street edge, creating an open space that 
connects with the city hall plaza across the 
street. The street-front façade and open 
spaces form the beginning of an urban node,
encouraging development of the empty lots south of the building. The mid-block alley, 
while it is blocked by the building, is acknowledged with an indent that houses outdoor 
service functions and an 
interior circulation 
corridor.
Zooming in, the 
site plan addresses each 
32
side of the building uniquely, based on the surrounding conditions and the program 
needs of the library. The south edge, as discussed, is focused on creating an urban node.
In relation to the library building, though, the plaza and landscaping are used to create a 
welcoming entry sequence, and define separate spaces for the library entrance and event
space entrance. Along the east edge, the sidewalk is separated from the building by a 
bioswale, which helps process runoff from the building’s pitched roof. It also gives a 
degree of privacy and separation for the building’s interior spaces. Bike parking, book 
drop-off, and a bus stop are accommodated along this side. The alley-capping “indent” 
hides service functions like garbage collection. The north side, facing the Washburne 
residential area, is designed to allow Head Start functions. The middle and west bars are
stepped back to provide space for children arriving or leaving by bus. Contrasting 
materials define the boardwalk area against the building as separate Head Start space, 
while the concrete sidewalk is for pedestrians just moving through. This side is also 
easily accessed from the parking lot in the northwest quarter of the block, allowing staff
and parents a direct path into the Head Start area. The west side of the library, facing 
the interior of the block, is the most secluded, and therefore the best area to provide 
outdoor spaces for Head Start. The building on this side has two “gaps,” giving each of 
the six classrooms direct access to outdoor play areas. Four boardwalk sections and a 
large expanse of grass provide a variety of settings for different activities. A six-foot 
wall separates the play area from Public House and the parking lot, keeping the space 
secure.
33
THE LIBRARY BUILDING: BASIC ORGANIZATION
34
Functionally, the library is organized with program elements that need 
immediate outdoor access on the first floor, noisier library functions on the second 
floor, and quieter library functions on the third floor. On the ground floor, Head Start 
takes up the west bar and part of the middle bar, staff functions take up part of the 
middle and the back half of the east bar, event space occupies the front half of the east 
bar, and the front of the middle bar is the public atrium/entry point for the library. The 
second floor is dedicated to kids, teens, the makerspace, and the teaching kitchen. The 
quiet third floor houses the adult collection, study spaces, and tech lab. Altogether, the 
35
56,000 sq. ft. facility arranges all of the library’s requested program elements in an 
order that best meets the library’s major goals.
First floor. The first floor functions as the welcome point for all library patrons. With 
a café, information/check-out desk, and generous amphitheater-style stairs, the entry 
atrium communicates the library’s first goal: “The library is accessible to all.” This is a 
highly public and flexible space, that can be adapted to function as performance or 
event space, or as a lobby for the main event room. A large portion of the first floor is 
dedicated to staff and service areas, seeking to “Improve workspace efficiency and 
comfort” (goal six). The book sorting and repair room is directly connected to the 
outdoor book drop, allowing for an automated sorting system to be put in place. Head 
Start, accessed separately from the north side, is organized to minimize transitions 
through the day. Each classroom has its own bathroom facilities, a small enclosed 
teacher office, storage, and direct access to the outdoors.
36
37
Second floor. The second floor is really the true “arrival” at the library. The atrium 
on this level houses the “Friends of the Springfield Library” bookstore, reading spaces, 
and a family play area. The central play area branches off to a space for older kids and 
an area for younger ones, allowing clear lines of visibility, making it “easy for parents 
to say ‘yes’ to their children” (goal four). The teen space is located at the opposite end 
from the kids area, giving an important sense of separation from the younger patrons, 
and allowing easy access to the makerspace and teaching kitchen (tying in to goal five).
38
39
Third floor. The quiet third floor, with vaulted wood ceilings and abundant natural 
light, houses the majority of the adult collection, and has the most spots for reading. The
east bar holds most of the bookstacks, with ample window nooks to read, while the 
middle atrium functions as a larger reading room. The west bar has tech and study 
spaces, accommodating classes or small groups. Currently, the front two thirds of the 
west bar are open to below, but could have flooring put in as the library needs more 
capacity, keeping the building adaptable to future changes.
40
41
Sections. The N-S section through the center of the building highlights the 
progression of atrium spaces. The wide staircases draw patrons up and in to the 
building, with tiers of public space at each level. This open central space improves 
wayfinding, allowing people to see where they want to go and a clear path to get there. 
Light also penetrates deeper into the building, giving the east and west bars natural light
from both sides. The E-W section shows how, from the atrium, quieter, dedicated 
spaces branch off on either side. These enclosed spaces provide fire barriers from the 
atrium, and allow for better acoustic control. The window nooks on either side go down 
another step in scale, creating very private and cozy places to be.
42
43
44
THE LIBRARY BUILDING: STRUCTURE
Since all buildings are constructed under the laws of physics, structural systems 
are one of the first considerations for a new design. Structure is the necessary 
framework to accomplish any spatial goals. But rather than being a limiting factor, 
structural constraints are an opportunity to bring order, form, character, sustainability, 
and more into the building.
Materials. The mayor of Springfield has connections to D.R. Johnson, a timber 
company located 90 miles south of the city. D.R. Johnson is an early pioneer of CLT 
(cross-laminated timber) manufacturing, an emerging sustainable building material. 
CLT and other mass timber technologies have potential to revitalize Oregon’s timber 
industry, and so have been vigorously encouraged by the state government, with Kate 
Brown deeming their development “essential” to the economy in 2015 legislation.43 
Wood also sequesters carbon, reducing the carbon footprint of the structure. Given 
Springfield’s ties to the timber industry, local connections to D.R. Johnson, and seismic 
and environmental considerations, CLT is a natural choice for the new library’s primary
structural system. CLT floor and roof slabs are supported by a grid of glulam columns 
and beams (another mass timber product made by D.R. Johnson). Diagonal bracing, to 
resist lateral loads (wind and seismic), is also glulam. The exterior walls are non-load 
bearing and are made of light steel framing and hung off of the primary structure.
43 Jeff Manning. “Problems at Peavy: Faulty Timber Panels Raise Stakes for Promising New Oregon 
Market.” (OregonLive, Aug. 12, 2018)
45
System. The basic structural system is a braced frame structure. Unlike a moment 
frame, which relies on rigid connections
for stability, a braced frame uses pin 
connections paired with diagonal 
bracing or shear walls to handle loads. 
Beyond the basic system, the building is
broken into three structurally 
independent sections, allowing each to 
move separately during an earthquake. 
At the joints between sections, the floor 
plates are buffered by steel U-plates that
are designed to hold their shape under normal 
loading, but to buckle during an earthquake, 
cushioning the floor plates.
Grid. The basic structural grid unit in
the building is 12’ x 12’. This unit is
easily spanned by 3-ply CLT floor
slabs, supported by 5 1/16” x 9” glulam
beams and 10” x 10” columns. In the
central bar of the building, the
maximum span is 24’, with 6’ spans on either side. This is spanned with 7-
ply CLT. The unnecessary depth over the 6’ span (which could easily be
46
spanned with 3-ply) can be removed and used as channels for electrical systems. The 
24” span is supported by larger (6 ¼” x 15”) glulam beams and 1’ x 1’ columns that 
extend upwards to form a custom truss supporting the roof. Along the side bars, beam 
spans vary between 12’ and 24’, giving variation in indoor spaces, and corresponding to
the pop-out window bays along the outside edges. Adhering to a basic unit that can be 
multiplied and divided different ways gives unity and simplicity to the overall design.
47
48
Atrium roof. The atrium roof is a unique structural feature that impacts the light and 
scale of the building. First, the soaring custom glulam trusses create the largest open 
span in the structure, making a space that feels wide-open and is big enough to double 
as a performance or event space. At the roof level, the trusses are connected by glulam 
beams, supporting the glazed roof panels. From the beams hang a grille of closely 
spaced (two per foot) 2 x 4 wood members. These louvers filter the sunlight during the 
day, keeping the space from being unusably bright while still allowing adequate 
daylighting. At night, the wood reflects electric light to prevent light loss through the 
glass roof and keep the building bright.
49
50
THE LIBRARY BUILDING: GREEN STRATEGIES
“Stewardship” is one of the library’s nine central goals for the new building, 
asking the design to “Honor the public’s investment and ensure sustainability by 
incorporating quality 
materials, efficient systems, 
and flexible planning.” 
Integrating passive strategies
for heating, cooling, lighting,
and water filtration reduces 
the building’s environmental
impact, lowers lifetime costs,
and, for the library, provides 
an opportunity to educate the
public.
51
Water runoff 
and filtration.
Rainwater 
falling on the 
site is collected 
and directed to 
bioswales. 
Runoff from the 
gabled roofs 
travels through 
gutters to the nearest swale. The sidewalk and plaza are very slightly sloped to direct 
water through curb cuts. The bioswales are planted with native vegetation that can 
handle lots of water. Rainwater filters through the plants and soil, allowing pollutants to
settle out of the water before entering a perforated drain pipe. The drain pipe allows 
water to slowly exit, returning to the supply of groundwater. In overload conditions, 
excess water flows into the city’s stormwater collection system.
Daylighting. The basic form of the building,
with three 36’ wide bars, allows daylight to
penetrate deep into the space. The “2.5H” rule of
thumb states that “the [useful] daylight
penetration into a space will be 2.5 times the
52
head height of the window.”44 For the first and second floors of the library, the exterior 
windows have a head height of 12’6”. This means that 31’3” of the floor depth should 
have adequate daylighting from the exterior windows at most times. The remainder of 
the 36’ is made up for by windows opening onto the light-filled atrium. When the light 
is too bright, though, or is creating too much solar heat gain, exterior roller shades 
concealed in the window head can come down. On the south side, deciduous columnar 
maples (Acer platanoides ‘Columnare’; from the list of Springfield’s approved street 
trees45,46) let light through during the winter months but provide additional shade in the 
summer. In the atrium, as described in the “structure” chapter, a system of slats filter 
sunlight. The building’s orientation doesn’t lend itself to extensive use of solar panels, 
but the south-facing atrium façade will house tiny PV panels in the curtain wall, a 
system proved to be effective at Lillis Hall on the University of Oregon campus.47 The 
PV panels, besides generating electricity, will reduce solar heat gain in the atrium.48 
44 Bobby Astrich, Alex Morris, Briana Walters, “Daylight Performance in Mid/Large Buildings” 
(University of Texas at Austin, School of Architecture, n.d.) p. 7
45“Columnar Norway Maple” (conservationgardenpark.org, 2017) 
46 “Appendix 6A: Approved Street Tree List” (City of Springfield, May, 2012)
47 Kent Duffy, “Making Business” High Performing Buildings (Summer 2008)
48 Edward Clark, “Analysis of the Curtain Wall Photovoltaic Array on the Southern Façade of the Lillis 
Building Complex Atrium” (University of Oregon School of Architecture, n.d.)
53
Heating and cooling. The design 
employs multiple strategies to maintain 
thermal comfort in the building while 
minimizing energy use. The first is 
simply to insulate the building well. A 
high R-value protects against heat gain or
loss, requiring less energy to heat or cool 
the building. Insulated walls between the 
outer bars and the atrium prevent heat 
loss into the atrium. The second strategy 
is to use thermal mass to balance heat 
gain and release through the day. Dense 
materials like concrete or brick absorb 
heat through the day, keeping the space cooler, and then slowly release it at night.49 
Thermal mass is integrated seamlessly into the building, with a concrete atrium floor, 
and brick, concrete and plaster in the wall construction.50 A third strategy is installing a 
geothermal heat pump. GHPs take advantage of the constant 54 degree temperature of 
the earth below 25’ underground. A loop of pipes filled with water circulate below 
ground and up to the building’s heating unit. In the summer months, the water absorbs 
heat and then is cooled below ground, bringing cold water back up to cool the air. In 
winter, the system works in reverse, bringing warmth from underground to heat up the 
49 C.A. Balaras, “The role of thermal mass on the cooling load of buildings. An overview of 
computational methods” Energy and Buildings 24 (1996), p.1
50 Mustapha Karkri, “Thermal properties of smart microencapsulated paraffin/plaster composites for the 
thermal regulation of buildings” Energy and Buildings (2015) p. 183
54
air. This process takes a significant load off the standard HVAC system, reducing 
energy use.51
Ventilation. The design uses both the stack effect and Bernoulli’s Principle to 
optimize natural ventilation. The stack effect, caused by warm air rising, draws warm 
51 “5 Things You Should Know about Geothermal Heat Pumps.” (Energy.gov, n.d.)
55
air from spaces
around an 
atrium up to 
the top of the 
multi-story 
space. 
Bernoulli’s 
Principle states
that high velocity fluid will have lower pressure than lower velocity fluid below it. In a 
building application, this means that wind, traveling above a building, can draw air up 
and out, creating an air current through the building.52 Springfield, located in the N-S 
oriented Willamette Valley, has consistent north or south wind directions. This matches 
the building’s alignment, allowing a consistent current drawing air through the atrium 
space. In tandem, these two systems create effective ventilation to cool the building.
52 A. Bhatia, “HVAC—Natural Ventilation Principles” (CED Engineering, n.d.) p. 4-5
56
THE LIBRARY BUILDING: EXPERIENCE
Materials, furniture, and lighting build on the framework of structure and 
organization to bring texture and livability. On the exterior, the building finishes 
communicate with the context and give the building identity. Inside, materials shape the
tactile experience of the space, as well as a plethora of factors like acoustics, warmth, 
and brightness. Interior organization and furniture facilitate a variety of activities, from 
active play to conversations to solo reading, and create a wide range of places to be. 
Electric lighting supplements daylight and produces different moods across spaces.
Façade goals. Four of the library’s nine central goals apply directly to the building’s 
exterior face. Goal number one covers accessibility and making the whole community 
feel “welcome.” Goal three asks the design to “Reflect Springfield heritage, culture, and
history.” Goal seven emphasizes the importance of “engaging the sidewalk.” Finally, 
goal nine covers the library’s role as “a flagship service of the city, an international 
welcome point.” The design attempts to bring together all of these considerations, 
creating an exterior that is deeply rooted in context, accessible, and iconic. The initial 
move of dividing the building into three equal-width bars is clearly expressed in the 
façade, nodding to the narrow lots adjacent on B St., A St., and Main St. These three 
bars break down the scale of the building, helping it feel more welcoming and less 
monumental, while the matched widths and roof pitches keep the overall building 
unified. The roof pitch, matched to Public House next door, and the light brick, echoing 
the historic Stevens Perkins Building, are both direct ties to Springfield’s history and 
57
identity. The use of CLT and glulam throughout, extending into the front plaza, reflects 
Springfield’s deep connections to the timber industry.
South and north elevations. The south façade is the most publicly-oriented face 
of the building, visible from Main Street and housing the main entrance to the library. It
also receives the most daylight. In addition to the three-bar strategy, this façade uses 
trees to create shade and depth. The trees shade the windows on the east and west bars, 
filtering sunlight during the summer months and reinforcing the rhythm of the windows.
A big glass garage door on the east bar opens up the event space onto the plaza, further 
activating the outdoor space. In the middle section, scaled-down glulam trusses extend 
the structure from the building’s interior into the plaza, framing the main entrance, 
becoming a “porch.” The balcony extending across the middle and east sections shades 
the entrance and creates a sense of compression before opening into the voluminous 
atrium. The north façade, facing the residential B Street, gets almost no direct sunlight, 
and so requires the least shading. As the main entrance for Head Start, it will be busy at 
drop-off and pick-up times, but relatively quiet the rest of the day. The trees on this side
are moved away from the front of the building, to avoid blocking daylight. The glazed 
middle bar is also left uninterrupted to maximize light penetration.
58
59
East and west elevations. The east elevation is the longest public side of the 
building. The lightweight concrete bump-outs, which on the interior function as 
individual or group study nooks, on the exterior serve to provide rhythm and variety to 
the elevation. The smooth, grey concrete contrasts with the very textured, warm brick. 
On the lower floor, where the nooks aren’t needed on the interior, the windows are all 
evenly spaced. Above, the windows are grouped by the bays. Lintels at the base of each 
bay extend to cover the windows below, bridging the asymmetry and creating a 
horizontal datum line across the building. The alley terminus in the center of the façade 
breaks up the brick pattern with a stretch of lightweight concrete. This indent gives 
variety to the design, as well as housing necessary service functions, like garbage bins 
and loading entrances, that need easy access to the street. With around ten feet between 
the building edge and the street, there isn’t room for tall street trees, but exterior rolling 
shades protect the interior from excessive sun. The west elevation, facing the interior of 
the block, is the most private face of the building. Large stretches of glazing provide a 
view out to the Head Start outdoor play space. On this side, the bump-outs are used on 
each floor, and so extend up the whole façade. Like the east elevation, exterior rolling 
shades protect the interior from glare when necessary. 
60
61
Progression of rooms. While the scope of this thesis doesn’t cover the nuances of 
interior design, choreographing an example patron’s path through the building shows 
how the variety of spaces can be developed with material, light, and furniture to craft a 
range of experiences. Moving from the exterior to the interior, the emphasis moves 
from just creating a visually pleasing composition to making spaces to move through, 
touch, and interact with.
Entering. As someone crosses the plaza and approaches the entry, they’ll pass under 
the second floor balcony. Moving into the shade opens up views into the atrium beyond.
The constricted space provides a strong threshold before going through the door into the
62
expansive atrium. At night, the underside of the balcony is brightly lit, acting as a 
beacon for the main entrance.
Going up. Moving past the café and service desk, people progress up into the atrium, 
to access library services on either side. The process of moving up, though, is designed 
to be more than just getting from floor to floor. Stadium seating, with periodic extended
platforms, turns the spaces between floors into occupiable space, where people can 
read, work, have conversations, or people watch. As the “living room” part of the 
building, this is an extroverted space designed to bring together diverse parts of the 
community.
63
Transitioning from public to private. While the building has a spectrum of 
public and private spaces, spatial cues signal specific transitions into quieter or more 
supervised space. Figure 46 shows the north end of the middle bar, behind the stadium 
seating, which is part of the children’s section. Moving into this space, the ceiling 
height drops from the atrium ceiling to a lower, one-story ceiling. A library service desk
greets families coming in, monitoring access. The CLT structural slabs above and below
create a warm environment. Electric lighting supplements the daylight.
Arriving. Moving from the central bar to a side room of the children’s section, the 
acoustics are more controlled, creating a quieter space to read and play. A variety of 
64
nooks around the edge of the room tie into the human love for “prospect and refuge,” 
cozy spots where we feel protected but can survey the rest of the room or look at the 
outdoors through a window.53 White, plastered walls amplify the daylight through the 
warm CLT structure. A variety of chair sizes and types, as well as a warm floor, 
accommodate all sizes of kids and adults.
Color. Looking ahead to finer-scale design development, interior color choices can 
function as another important tie to Springfield’s identity. Even if the specific reference 
53 Annemarie Dosen, “Prospect and refuge theory: Constructing a critical definition for architecture and 
design” International Journal of Design in Society, Vol. 6, Issue 1, 2013, p. 9 
65
in each color doesn’t translate through to the library patrons, pulling colors from the 
surrounding environment keeps the building rooted in its place and unifies the interior.
66
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CONCLUSION
The Springfield Public Library is a key institution in its community, bringing 
together a diverse population and providing crucial resources. With a new facility, the 
library can provide more services to more people, increasing its positive effect in the 
community. This design proposal creatively addresses each of the library’s central 
goals. From efficient staff spaces to inspiring kids’ areas to a welcoming exterior, the 
proposal brings together diverse functions in a design that’s deeply rooted in 
Springfield. In its new space, the library can not only expand the excellent resources it 
provides now, but become a true living room for the city.
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