Newcastle Library

The Newcastle Library represents a new iconic landmark within the core of the city. It’s open and transparent facade welcomes the community in, while the flexible reading and gathering spaces offer patrons a comfortable destination to relax, interact and gain knowledge.

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The Gathering Porch represents a welcoming civic gesture for all who enter the library. The eye-catching orange acrylic seating platforms allow visitors space to read outside on nice days or a place to chat with friends.

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Careful attention was paid to material selection utilizing only regional, recycled and healthy products.

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Adjacent to the Reading Room, the Brick Block contains a series of more contained spaces including work rooms, study rooms and a multi-purpose room.

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The “sunset perch” is a special reading area for kids that is bathed in the daylight created by orange tinted glass.

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A New Civic Heart

Newcastle Library

Newcastle, WA

The Evolving Library

This library is the community heart at the center of Newcastle’s evolving civic village. The modern structure redefines the role of a small town library by introducing traditional components in new ways – like the reinvented grand reading room that instills a sense of pride, and inspires gatherings.

Inspiring Civic Engagement

Sited in the heart of the retail core, the library’s transparent façade and glowing Gathering Porch welcome the community inside. The flexible reading and meeting spaces offer patrons a comfortable destination to gain knowledge, join a community discussion, attend a reading or sink into a good book.

Environmental Champion

Newcastle Library exudes a deep commitment to sustainability. Features include a geothermal heat exchange system, operable exterior sun shading, passive natural ventilation, and a 100,000-gallon stormwater cistern. An extensive vegetative roof reduces runoff contaminants by naturally absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere.

Client

King County Library System

Overview

A new community library at the heart of a growing suburban village

Program

11,000 sf library including reading room, work rooms, study rooms, a multi-purpose room and kids reading area; 7,500 sf vegetative roof; entry plaza; below-grade parking garage

Size

24,717 sf; 1.07 acres

Sustainable Metrics

LEED Gold, Targeted

Completion Date

2013

Services

Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

Awards

AIA Washington Civic Design Awards, Merit Award, 2013

Federal Way Regional Library Federal Way, WA +

Yesler Community Center Seattle, WA +

Seattle University Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons Seattle, WA +

Puyallup City Hall Block Puyallup, WA +

The Newcastle Library represents a new iconic landmark within the core of the city. It’s open and transparent facade welcomes the community in, while the flexible reading and gathering spaces offer patrons a comfortable destination to relax, interact and gain knowledge.

The Gathering Porch represents a welcoming civic gesture for all who enter the library. The eye-catching orange acrylic seating platforms allow visitors space to read outside on nice days or a place to chat with friends.

Careful attention was paid to material selection utilizing only regional, recycled and healthy products.

Adjacent to the Reading Room, the Brick Block contains a series of more contained spaces including work rooms, study rooms and a multi-purpose room.

The “sunset perch” is a special reading area for kids that is bathed in the daylight created by orange tinted glass.

A New Civic Heart

Newcastle Library