linda sokol francis brookfield library+

Brookfield, IL

Project 1: New Library Facility & Site Design: 21,000 sf, $11,000,000 project budget - $525 / SF

description:

The new Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library is a 21,000 sf facility on 3 levels that is located across the street from a new micro-park and additional parking lot that replaced the existing building. The new facility offers a 100 person meeting room, a large youth services area with a dedicated program room, a large second floor adult collection along with study rooms, a teen room, a media lab, maker space, and expanded staff spaces. the site plan includes a large open area directly adjacent to the new building, that serves as programmable outdoor space that can be realized as expansion space in the future.

The building is designed to maximize natural light by carefully placing expanses of glass that do not allow views into adjacent homes. The lower level accommodates the large meeting room and staff offices including a lightwell that provides natural light into these areas. The circulation desk and workroom and youth area are located on the first floor, adjacent to the lawn area, for programming and to allow easy access for strollers from the entry. the second floor houses the adult collection and seating (10x the previous amount), a quiet reading room, a separate teen room, study rooms, and a maker space with a media lab.

The micro park across the street on the site of the old library will be used by the entire community and includes a pollinator garden that was developed in coordination with and sponsored by the Brookfield Zoo.