Neighborhood Destination

Sylmar Library

Sylmar, CA

Identifying with the Neighborhood

The design responds to the casual tenor of life on a Sylmar sidewalk and yields a civic building that is unexpectedly light and unselfconscious, one that fits un-assumedly alongside working-class bungalows surrounding the site.

Diverse Perspectives

Three reading rooms, addressing the diverse perspectives of children, young adults and mature patrons, are arranged around the library with direct sight lines to the circulation desk. A “viewing window” connects readers with the bustling city outside, and clerestory windows capture views of the rugged San Gabriel Mountains and beyond.

Community Impact

Close collaboration with the community informed interior and exterior design features that welcome residents and support local programs such as book sales and neighborhood gatherings. Colors drawn from the surrounding Latino culture honor the industry of its inhabitants and the future of their community.