Columbia Branch Architecture
The newly expanded Columbia Branch is the 12th project completed under the "Libraries for All" building program.
The expansion was designed by Cardwell Architects and built by Graham Contracting Ltd. The addition, which was built onto the back of the existing branch, was designed to respect the architecture of the original building.
About the building
The building is in the Columbia City Landmark District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The children's area, new reading room, study room, meeting room and staff areas are in the new addition, overlooking the adjacent Columbia Park. Each space has large park-side windows for daylight and great views of grass, trees and sky. Construction materials were chosen to complement, but not match the historical building.
The children's area is a bright porch-like room with park views to the north and west. The reading room is naturally lit with diffused daylight from the overhead roof projection, which is equipped with electronically controlled louvers to release rising warm air.