The Martha Cooper Library, located in the midtown Garden District of Tucson, serves not only the surrounding neighborhood, but the city as a whole. This expansion project will add 7,000 sf. of space to the existing 7,700 sf library and provide improved community meeting spaces, expanded programming for users and efficient staff workspace.

Taking advantage of the existing structure’s large clerestory and north facing windows, the Children’s Areas and Staff Workroom are flooded with natural daylight. Teen and Adult Collection Areas, Study/Meeting Rooms, a Business Development Space, Gaming Room, and laptop stations are provided, and a large Multi-purpose Room acts as a flex-space, opening to an outdoor patio for gatherings and events.

The expansion embraces the Garden District by providing interactions with the landscape throughout the project. Outdoor reading patios open towards native desert plantings providing a quiet and relaxing space to read. Vegetative “green” walls screen service spaces, while welcoming visitors to the Library.