Lake|Flato and Shepley Bulfinch’s new Austin Central Library was recently chosen as one of six national AIA/ALA Library Building Award winners. The award is “the only award that recognizes entire library structures and all aspects of their design.” The Austin library was recognized by a jury made up of both architects and librarians for its forward-thinking approach to a library’s place in its community. One juror remarked, “This is a model of library as community center offering so much variety.”
The jury also lauded the building’s daylighting and its many flexible spaces for members of the public. “The atrium ties it all together bringing in natural light, exciting circulation and a sense of orientation. The porch rooftop is a lovely, lovely benefit library users can access,” said a juror.
Congratulations to Lake|Flato — we look forward to honoring their accomplishment at the 2018 Texas Trailbreak reception in New York during the AIA national convention.
Read more about the public’s response to the new library here and the critical response to the library here.