Newly Opened Los Gatos Library by Noll & Tam Architects Pursuing LEED Gold

The new 30,000-square-foot <a href="http://www.nollandtam.com/portfolio/libraries/los_gatos">Los Gatos Library</a>, designed by Berkeley-based <a href="http://www.nollandtam.com/">Noll &amp; Tam Architects</a>, is a daylit, sustainable gem for the community around the historic Pageant Grounds in Los Gatos, California. The two-story building draws its design inspiration from a lantern, working all day to bring light far into the building and at night to illuminate the area with views into the library.

The design team at Noll &amp; Tam Architects worked to minimize the footprint of the building on the wooded site, and therefore the two-story building has portions of the second floor cantilevered as design centerpieces. The natural hues of concrete, stone and wood colored cladding help to reflect and respect the colors of the surrounding environment.

Exterior louvers and fins help to protect the building interior from excessive daylighting and unnecessary heat gain.

The interior lobby is emphasized by a two-story volume with a staircase as the central focus. The rich tones in the interior wood paneling is something that is brought in from the wooded environment outside the library.

Signage &amp; environmental graphic designer <a href="http://www.matthewwilliamsdesign.com">Matthew Williams</a> used 3Form recycled acrylic resin to create fun way-finding elements throughout the building - like this sign for the Children's Library.

The light and airy feel of the lobby is partially due to the building's glass-window walls transmitting copious amounts of daylight into the space. The second floor spaces look down into the lobby creating an interesting dynamic of light and space.

Interesting artwork pieces are displayed around the building, including a large etched glass art piece adjacent to the stairs. This piece was designed by Sheri Simons.

[gallery_extend]....<br><br><a href='https://inhabitat.com/newly-opened-los-gatos-library-by-noll-tam-architects-pursuing-leed-gold/'>READ ARTICLE</a>

Though the floor plan is open and focused on large spaces, the designers were sure to incorporate moveable walls for flexibility.