Twin Oaks branch library in Austin wins interior design award from ASID
Austin Public Library’s new Twin Oaks Branch in Austin, Texas has scooped a first place Commercial Interior Design Award for Sustainable Design from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Austin Chapter.
The sustainable 10,000 square feet branch was designed by Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects and built by Jamail & Smith Construction. The interior design has been created by Laurie Smith Design Associates. The Twin Oaks library was one among the three commercial projects honoured with top awards in the 25th annual Design Excellence Competition.
The Twin Oaks Branch building is patterned after a popular new design model for community libraries which incorporates many features found in upscale bookstores. The new branch replaces the former Twin Oaks Branch which was located in a lease space since its inception in 1956.
Located on the site of a former post office, the structure is incorporated with a host of sustainable features such as large wood trusses of reclaimed Douglas Fir, which saved about 30 large trees; reuse of bricks from the original post office; recycled or recyclable furnishings; and low-VOC paint. An application for LEED certification is also in the works.
The building is equipped with rainwater harvesting system as well as a day lighting control system that dims electric lamps when the building has sufficient daylight for reading and other activities. It also features a 25.2kW solar energy system that is expected to generate some 32,760 kWh annually.
The building features a dramatic entry vestibule with a 15ft-tall mobile commissioned by artist Stephanie Strange through Austin’s ‘Art in Public Places’ programme. One of the stand-out features of the new library building is a sculptural display fixture sketched out by Laurie Smith Design Associates and built and installed by local neighbourhood resident Ed Barbee. The piece of art helps in offering a vibrant embellishment to the main entrance area with custom-coloured light-transmitting resin. The custom-designed, four-square steel, maple and resin book display cubbies also feature bold and bright resin panels. Resin is also used in a kid-scaled, ‘crooked-house’ portal that leads to the kids’ area. The library sports modern interior signage and a typewriter mobile art piece.
ASID is a major professional organization for interior designers with the largest residential and commercial membership. With more than 38,000 members, ASID establishes a common identity for professionals and businesses in the field of interior design.
The 25th Annual Design Excellence Awards Luncheon was held on 5 November 2010 at Austin Country Club.
