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Norwin Public Library   Irwin, PA

Located on a long, narrow tract of land with a meandering stream, the Norwin Public Library addresses the challenges of the site’s natural features; accommodating current needs, but also providing for future expansion. Large windows located in the main stack area provide serene views of the adjacent streambed, wooded hillside and a butterfly garden developed by a local patron. Furthermore, future expansion can be achieved without obscuring these views and without disrupting daily operations of this community resource.

The program for this facility consisted of adult, young adult and children’s libraries, study rooms, a reading lounge with coffee bar, computer center, a community meeting room and administrative support spaces. By incorporating the library into the existing slope of the site, it is divided into two levels. The partial basement is limited to storage and mechanical spaces, while the upper level is comprised of all public and administrative areas. By concentrating these public spaces on one floor, the library is able to monitor and operate the facility with a small staff and modest budget. The layout of the upper level also permits the use of the community meeting room, kitchenette and public restrooms for after-hours events, while the rest of the facility remains secure and inaccessible. At the heart of the building rests the circulation desk and high clerestory windows. The east-facing clerestory provides this area with an abundance of natural light. Opposite the desk, large windows were placed in the interior walls, allowing for sunlight to filter throughout the entire facility.

The two-story tower at the main entrance is emphasized by a curved canopy, large perforated steel banners and a high window that interrupts the roofline, creating an eyebrow arch. This area is further defined by a small outdoor plaza, bordered by a low brick wall for seating and tree planters. The exterior of the facility consists of a blend of oversized split-face masonry, limestone trim and brick veneer. The façade is divided by a series of pilasters with an aluminum soffit box spanning between them. These soffit boxes house recessed lighting that emphasize the diverse blend of materials, textures and colors of this building throughout the nighttime hours.

The goal of the Norwin Public Library Association was to create a timeless and stately building that would serve the community’s needs for years to come. With that in mind, the building’s site, layout and choice of materials were all utilized to make this goal a reality.

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