GRAEF-USA Inc.

Oak Park Public Library

GRAEF provided structural design for a new 137,256 square-foot public library. The design goal was to create a new important civic building that builds upon the strong architectural heritage of Oak Park. A building that reflects the diversity of the community, a library that is inviting and user friendly and that will service the citizens of Oak Park well into the future.

Other goals included:
-Meet library space and parking needs.
-Provide flexibility to meet future unknown needs.
-Create an environment that is open, warm, inviting, and user friendly.
-Create a variety of study and reading spaces to facilitate more effective use of the collections and resources of the library.
-Respond sensitively to the existing urban context, especially Scoville Park.
-Minimize impact on the natural environment through the use of sustainable building materials and systems.

The project is a three-story cast-in-place concrete structure that replaces the existing library. The design of the project incorporates provisions for a future fourth floor, and a full basement was provided to accommodate parking.

The Lake Street side of the building includes a multi-lane ramp from the street level to the basement. Due to poor soil conditions, the structure is supported on drill pier foundations. The east elevation of the building faces Scoville Park. As a result, the east elevation has been articulated with the greatest amount of windows. The roof at this side of the building is glu-laminated timber with an undulating shape. The timber beams are supported by timber “trees” provided at the top of the concrete columns at that level.
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LOCATION Oak Park, IL