Schertz Public Library / Kell Muñoz Architects

Architects: Kell Muñoz Architects
Location: Schertz, Texas, USA
General contractor: O’Haver Contractors
MEP Engineer: DBR Engineering
Structural Engineer: Datum Engineers
Civil Engineer: Brioñes Consulting
Landscape Architect: Laffoon Associates
Project area: 30,600 sq. ft.
Project year: 2009
Photographs: Casey Dunn, Christopher Gutierrez

The Schertz Public Library is a new 30,000 s.f. facility that serves the largest suburban city in the San Antonio metropolitan area. The client desired a building that would reflect the spirit and character of this traditionally rooted but forward looking community.

The site, at a major intersection, shares space with a recreation center and a park area to create a new civic center at the heart of the community.

An elliptical glass-walled courtyard, anchored by a large red oak, divides the large volume into a main reading room and a children’s room.

The focus of the public areas is a north-facing glass wall that illuminates the space with indirect natural light and provides views to the library courtyard and the new park area beyond.

Materials were selected that have traditionally been used on residential buildings in the community – limestone, wood siding, and galvanized metal roofing – and used in a contemporary way that speaks to the mission of the Library.