The design solution selectively demolished dysfunctional parts of the existing building, renovated functional areas (approximately 50,000 SF), and added a 50,000 SF glazed addition that responds to the needs and program of an open, flexible, collaborative and sustainable library, with space for a café, an outdoor reading garden, an auditorium, a makerspace, and a “technology petting zoo.”
The guiding strategy was to consolidate the program into a simpler volume that allows seamless connection between the various parts of the building and a more flexible layout to accommodate the evolution of the library into the future. RATIO designed the new façade of the building to respond to the scale and energy of Winston-Salem and catalyze future development on the western side of downtown.
The long-awaited library received overwhelming support from the community when it debuted, transforming the western side of downtown and renewing development interest. Above all, the County Commissioners maintained their promise to be good stewards of taxpayer money while delivering an iconic, generational project.