Traditional Barn Inspires New Library
Winthrop is a small historic farming town in Washington State. When the community raised money to build a new library, more than a quarter of the town’s population of four hundred contributed ideas to the design as well as funds. They wanted a safe, healthy community space as well as an inclusive library to signal that their community takes care of each another.
The town’s historic appearance is carefully protected by comprehensive building codes to maintain the character of a town between 1850 and 1890. These codes contribute to the town’s visual appeal and economic well-being as a destination for eco-tourism and arts events. The codes could easily have been an obstacle for the new building’s design.
Photo credit: Benjamin Drummond
Instead, the architects were inspired by the region’s traditional wooden, open air, timber hay barns. Their wide roofs and airy side walls were the perfect model. The light-frame local wood and steel structure was affordable, sustainable and easy to construct for local craftspeople.
The 678 sq metre building, featuring wood inside and out, is built on the site of the original lending library. High ceilings and extended windows allow natural light to flood in. Wood trusses have long spans and good strength-to-weight ratios, while housing the necessary services. Window and door trims, interior walls and ceiling acoustic baffles are all constructed with local wood.
Photo credit: Benjamin Drummond
A two metre “learning tree” was crafted by local artists from a salvaged red cedar as a symbol of resilience, shaped by weather and nature.
Photo credit: Benjamin Drummond
A large open airy reading room is the library’s main space. Wooden bookcases and cabinets can hold 20,000 items. Decorative features are also wooden. A sliding timber door showcases local flora and fauna and also acts as a divider for events or special programmes.
The natural thermal benefits of wood are supplemented by the placement of window openings, doorways and overhangs, while heat gain and glare are controlled by slatted wooden screens. A reflective metal roof also helps to reduce climate impacts and was designed to house future energy-saving solar panels. The building already exceeds local energy efficiency codes.
A community member who championed much of the library’s $6.5 million fundraising and planning, said “It’s all replicable in other communities: libraries are not just repositories of knowledge—the books and the programming they offer open new worlds and possibilities for patrons. With this new library we’re expanding opportunities, equity, climate, and community resilience..”
References:
https://www.johnstonarchitects.com/work
https://www.thinkwood.com/construction-projects/community-library-showcases-airy-light-frame-wood-construction
https://www.ncwlibraries.org/locations/winthrop-public-library/
https://methowvalleynews.com/2022/06/08/new-winthrop-public-library-is-rooted-in-community/