The Southwest Community Library, the first public building in Washington D.C. constructed using screw laminated timber (DLT), has quickly become a new landmark in the city. This library extensively incorporates wood to harmonize with the region’s modern architectural elements, while drawing inspiration from the area’s historic medieval character. Its bold geometric shapes distinguish it from neighboring buildings. Perkins&Will collaborated closely with StructureCraft, a structural engineering firm, to optimize the design, detailing, and construction of DLT, enhancing aesthetics, sustainability, and efficiency. Although folding roofs are not a novel concept, using screw laminated wood for such roofs is rare and required close teamwork between designers and engineers to realize this innovative design.
Inspired by the idea of a “pavilion in the park,” the Southwest Library invites visitors to connect with nature. Its design encourages community members to explore the library and integrate it seamlessly into daily life. Featuring a hydrophilic design, the building fosters a connection between users and the natural environment, creating a calm and healing atmosphere that supports well-being and happiness.
From afar, the open roof facing the park welcomes the public inside. Resembling an open book, the roof creates a striking visual statement while extending the canopy of the surrounding trees. The V-shaped wooden columns supporting the roof add warmth and subtle elegance, enhancing the inviting ambiance for visitors. Inside, expansive windows offer broad views of the surrounding park landscape, flooding the interior with natural light. Impressively, over 90% of the interior space provides direct views of the outdoors.
Designed to meet LEED Platinum standards, this sustainable public space incorporates energy-efficient and water-saving strategies. The design team applied research insights to increase gathering spaces, integrate adaptive technologies tailored to reader needs, and enhance spatial flexibility. The building’s high-performance exterior walls capture diffused northern light to optimize visibility, improve energy efficiency, and maintain comfort throughout changing sun conditions using integrated sunshades.
Additional eco-friendly features include a green living roof that produces oxygen and absorbs stormwater runoff, alongside photovoltaic panels that generate over 160,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually—covering approximately 49% of the building’s estimated yearly energy costs.
The library has expanded its meeting spaces to serve children, teenagers, and adults alike. This includes a large meeting room accommodating up to 100 people and smaller rooms for groups of 12 to 20. The building itself serves as a living educational tool, enabling staff and visitors to learn about environmental stewardship.
Project Drawings
△ General layout plan
△ First floor plan
△ Second floor plan
Project Information
Architectural Design: Perkins and Will
Area: 22,000 sq ft (2,043.8 m²)
Project Year: 2021
Photography: James Steinkamp Photography
Manufacturers: Interface, Finelite, Herman Miller, Kirei, Moz Designs, Naughtone, Spacesaver, Steelcase, StructureCraft, SunPower X-Series, Vitra Stackable, Vitro Solar Volt
Lead Architects: Carl Knutson, Nancy Gribeluk, Joshua Rubin, Kate Currie
Design Director: Carl Knutson
Project Manager: Nancy Gribeluk
Senior Project Architect: Joshua Rubin
Senior Interior Designer: Kate Currie
Project Architect: Ben Shealy
Designer: Keegan Wilson
Design and Construction: Joelle Friedlander – Turner Construction
General Contractor: Joelle Friedlander – Turner Construction
Landscape Architect: Joseph Chambers – Landscape Architecture Bureau LLC
Civil Engineer: Joseph Mensch – Wiles Mensch Corporation
Structural Engineer: Jordan Henderson – StructureCraft Builders
Mechanical, Electrical, and Piping Engineer: Craig Turner – Limback Engineering
Library Programming Consultant: Kathryn Taylor – Kathryn Taylor Design
Acoustic Consultant: Timberly Dinglas – Cerami & Associates
LEED Consultant: Marisa Britton – Sustainable Design Consulting LLC
Location: Washington D.C., United States
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up