Inspiration

Design Considerations: A new library is needed for the town of Lake Elsinore, CA. The downtown is a distance from the lake so the are is arid and hot.

Design Approach:

We considered this library to be an oasis from the heat in downtown Lake Elsinore. The image of a tree on a hill, with a trunk to lean on under the dappled shade of its leaves led us to our design. We wrapped a gentle climb around an open courtyard shaded by a mesh roof. The skin of the building is surrounded in metal sheets that fold out based on their orientation to the sun to minimize heat gain, but still open views to the town.