Richland Library Edgewood

Columbia, South Carolina

Richland Library Edgewood occupies a former 7,350 SF Dollar General store and serves as the first public library for the Edgewood neighborhood in more than 40 years since the Waverly branch on Gervais Street closed in 1971. The historic downtown neighborhood has long desired a safe gathering place for children after school and in the summertime. Richland Library Edgewood branch provides much needed resources to the residents who live in Edgewood, Celia Saxon, Waverly and other nearby neighborhoods.

The surrounding street context is defined by one and two-story single-family patio homes featuring covered front porches, small yards, and an overall intimate scale. Sidewalks line the streets, providing a safe pedestrian access to the site. A large open green space is located across Oak Street to the east, while an existing parking lot anchors the north side of the site.

The previous main entry was reoriented from the North end to the East side of the building to engage pedestrian traffic along Oak Street. A large covered porch was created at the south end of the building along Elmwood Avenue in response to the existing context of patio homes. A fenced-in outdoor area is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for outdoor activities for library customers.

The existing red brick pre-engineered building was re-imagined to reflect the history and values of the surrounding community. Quilt patterns play an important role in the African-American culture and served as inspiration for color and texture. The existing brick façade was covered with a new “quilt” of paint and composite wood. Color and pattern are carried throughout the design, both interior and exterior, as a response to the community’s desire for bright colors and texture. A history wall featuring images collected from the community serves as a reminder of the historic fabric of the Edgewood Community. Several mirrors are inlayed into the wall to allow residents to see their own reflection woven into the historic “quilt”, while on the exterior, a custom art installation features silhouttes of local community members.

PROJECT COMPLETION

2018

AWARDS

2020 Citation Award | AIA Columbia
2019 Adaptive Reuse Honor Award | AIA South Carolina
2019 Honorable Mention (Government/Institutional category) | IIDA Carolinas

PHOTOGRAPHY

Kickstand Studio

SIMILAR PROJECTS