Arabian Library / Richard Kennedy Architects

Arabian Library / Richard Kennedy Architects - Table, ChairArabian Library / Richard Kennedy Architects - Shelving, LightingArabian Library / Richard Kennedy Architects - Shelving, Table, ChairArabian Library / Richard Kennedy Architects - Image 5 of 22Arabian Library / Richard Kennedy Architects - More Images+ 17

Scottsdale, United States
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  20875 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2007
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Bill Timmerman
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  McGrory Glass

Text description provided by the architects. The building is a remembrance of the desert slot canyons of northern Arizona and monument valley, capturing the powerful and unique experience between the compressive stone walls and the ultimate release to the sky above. Ever-patient threads of water, sculpting and polishing the massive walls, cut these natural sandstone canyons over millennia. Harder stone and slow water sharply defines vertical slivers while softer stone gives way to wider crevasse.

Arabian Library / Richard Kennedy Architects - Table, Chair
© Bill Timmerman

The library echoes this powerful natural sequence. An earthen and stone roof is thrust from the desert floor, taking with it the native grasses, shrub and stone texture. Organized about a central court, the building is entered through a “slot canyon” of steel and glass. Walls of weathered steel plate reflect the terra-cotta walls of stone as they lean overhead and fall away from the entry path and open to the sky above. The weathered steel walls of the building support an earthen and stone roof, planted with native vegetation and stone from the site. Two roof gardens will contain desert variety trees and groundcovers’, recalling the surface level vegetation as one descends into the canyon.

A continuous thread of water echo’s the natural erosion of the canyon wall creating the powerful imagery of the building, and eventually pooling in the lower edge of the courtyard. A singular tree is the focus of the space. This centralized court will be used as a pre-function and program spaces for the library and meeting rooms. Two slender “canyon courts” flank the west and south sides of the building, expanding library lounge spaces to the exterior and ultimately opening the building to the sky and desert floor again.

Arabian Library / Richard Kennedy Architects - Image 7 of 22
© Bill Timmerman

The LEED Certified building incorporates a subfloor mechanical, electrical and data distribution system, providing long term flexibility in a rapidly changing informational environment. Air stratification techniques minimize the cooling demand on high volume spaces while maximizing patron comfort. The building is lined with perforated hardboard and recycled cotton insulation to accommodate acoustical properties while reinforcing the homogenous notion of the canyon walls. A series of architectural ledges give way to internal clerestories, introducing daylight to the center of the space. The unique program of the library is based on contemporary bookstore concepts, and includes the popular library as well as café and bookstore elements.

Arabian Library / Richard Kennedy Architects - Table, Chair, Shelving
© Bill Timmerman

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Project location

Address:Scottsdale, AZ, USA

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About this office
Cite: "Arabian Library / Richard Kennedy Architects" 01 May 2011. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/130435/arabian-library-richardbauer> ISSN 0719-8884

© Bill Timmerman

阿拉伯图书馆 / richärd+bauer

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