Albertville Public Library

The Albertville Public Library replaces the city's former library, which was struck by lightning and caught fire. The City envisioned the rebuild as an opportunity to better serve the community, provide quality-of-life enhancements to residents, and create a true civic living room through a modern public library set within an existing park.

The site design weaves the building through an existing mature tree canopy to preserve the natural environment and provide the feeling of being set within the landscape. Shade from the trees cools the structure, and a glass back porch opens the interior to the exterior while providing sweeping views into the park.

As a large, CLT mass timber project, the material is a defining design decision of the library. The timber serves double duty, carrying the building structurally while bringing warmth into the interior. The exposed wood gives the library an inviting, comfortable quality without compromising its standing as a civic piece of architecture.