Camas Public Library Expansion

Camas, Washington

Faced with a downtown that was losing resources to Vancouver suburbs and an existing library that was unapproachable and too small, the City of Camas challenged the FFA architectural team to expand and renovate their existing 1940 Georgian Colonial library to create a civic center. Specifically, the design team was asked to preserve the historically significant exterior of the existing structure, add on to it to expand the library's capacity, and create an open and inviting contemporary library.

Starting with the image of an open book, the design team "bound" the old and new buildings together with a spine through the middle of the building. A prominent entrance at the spine invites visitors in to the library and directs them to the circulation desk. From this central room, connections to all other points within the library are clear. Forty-foot skylights bath the corridor with natural light and further delineate the central spine.

Because the existing building is architecturally significant, but not a registered historic building, the addition was designed to reference the existing building, while still making a statement of its own. The addition and the existing building are similar in size and height, and exterior materials were matched in color and texture to tie the two together.

On the other hand, the addition strives to overcome the existing building's biggest drawback: a closed-off feeling to the public. The ample use of glass provides visual access from all sides. On the north side, a 12-foot wall of windows illuminates the young adult section of the library and to the east, a glass-walled Children's Garden Room was created from the original fire truck bay. To the west and south three bays of glass, two stories high provide so much visibility that the Reading Room within has become known as the City's Living Room.

The City also wanted a library for everyone. The architects' response was to create a variety of spaces, some not typically seen in existing libraries. Smaller scale spaces like a reading balcony, a porch with rocking chairs and the Philosophers' Garden were created for those seeking quiet and solitude. More expansive spaces, like the Reading Room and vaulted Reference Hall, serve those seeking a livelier environment. The architects tied the entire floor plan together with an abundance of natural light, so small spaces merge seamlessly with large.

The Camas Public Library represents a successful marriage of old and new, a well-functioning and welcoming public space and the first step toward revitalizing the downtown area.