Responding to the community’s desire for a gathering space and seizing the potential of the site, MSR Design designed this new library as a pavilion in a park. The seamless design fully integrates the library and park, while a lake provides renewable, hydrothermal energy for the building. The design integrates outdoor views and spaces (such as a reading porch) to create a strong inside-outside relationship and extend the experience beyond the library walls—connecting residents to information, the outdoors, and the larger community. The building was designed in accordance with the B3 State of Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines.
Library Journal New Landmark Library Honorable Mention
IIDA Northland Chapter FAB Grand Award
IIDA Northland Chapter FAB Award for Government/Institutional Projects
IIDA Northland Chapter FAB Award for Excellence in Sustainability
Client
Hennepin County Library
Location
Maple Grove, MN
Project Type
Library | Cultural Space | Educational Environment | Government Facility
Size
40,000 SF
Certifications
Followed State of Minnesota B3 Guidelines for sustainability
Role
Architect | Interior Designer
Status
Complete
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“Indoors/outdoors, building/neighborhood, materials/interiors, function/beauty, community/service—all of these areas are addressed beautifully. . . . This design is beautiful in the way it reveals the building to nature and human nature.”
—Susan Szenasy | METROPOLIS Magazine
A lake provides renewable, hydrothermal energy for the building.
The design integrates outdoor views and spaces (such as a reading porch) to create a strong inside-outside relationship and extend the experience beyond the walls of the library.
Landscaping is low maintenance and incorporates native plants.
Sustainable and local building materials are used throughout the design.
The library features daylight harvesting through high clerestory windows along the roofline.
