Southwest Library Designed as a “Campground on the Park”
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The Southwest Library in Washington, D.C., is considered a new city landmark and is the first public building in Washington constructed using dowel-laminated timber (DLT). The library combines DLT to achieve a modern architectural aesthetic that complements the strong geometry of the neighborhood. Collaborating with the engineering firm StructureCraft, architects from Perkins&Will optimized the aesthetics, sustainability, and efficiency of DLT in design, detailing, and construction. While folded arches are not new, creating them from DLT is innovative, requiring close collaboration between designers and engineers to bring this vision to life.
Notable Architectural Features of the Project:
- The design follows an ecological approach, encouraging user connection to nature and creating a sense of relaxation and tranquility, promoting health and well-being.
- The building’s arched roof opens toward the park, inviting visitors inside. This dome-like structure resembles an open book, providing shelter that blends with the surrounding trees.
- Inside, large windows offer panoramic views of nature and the beauty of the surrounding park while filling the interior with natural light. Over 90% of the interior spaces have views of the outdoors.
- Landscaping combines natural granite with synthetic stone and includes a pond specifically designed for penguins.
- The library features a living green roof to produce oxygen and absorb runoff, alongside solar panels that generate over 160,000 kWh of electricity annually, covering about 49% of the building’s estimated annual energy costs.
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