Perkins+Will designed Young Neighborhood Library opening November 5

11/04/2016 | Perkins+Will

Houstonians have a new place of learning, reading, public gathering, and civic engagement as Houston Public Library celebrates the grand opening on November 5, 2016 of the Young Neighborhood Library in the Old Spanish Trail/South Union community. Designed by Perkins+Will, the new facility at 5107 Griggs Road replaces the existing library’s storefront branch in the nearby Palm Center shopping mall, providing expanded space and enhanced technology for its guests.

The design of Young Library’s new freestanding 16,000-square-foot building promotes interaction through collaboration spaces and community meeting spaces. The facility also includes a children’s section and teen lounge. The new library is supported by state-of-the-art technology, such as touchscreen computers, 3D printers, and automated self-checkout systems. Perkins+Will designers incorporated input from an engaged group of community members, the City of Houston, and Houston Public Library to ensure the building would meet the needs of various stakeholders.

“The most important part of the design process for this new library was the opportunity to hear directly from the community about their vision,” said Phil Callison, principal at Perkins+Will. “By encouraging residents to honestly and openly express their opinions on specific needs and desires, our team was able to design a new library that specifically celebrates this community and the legacy of the branch’s namesake.” The library’s name honors Alice McKean Young, an early 20th Century advocate for citywide expansion of library services and a Houston Public Library board member.

Located on a highly visible site, the Young Neighborhood Library will serve as a vital community center and a catalyst for business and cultural growth in the area.
About Perkins+Will
Perkins+Will is an interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm established in 1935 and founded on the belief that design has the power to transform lives and enhance communities. Each of the firm’s 24 offices and 1,900 professionals focuses on local, regional, and global work in a variety of practice areas. Social responsibility is a fundamental aspect of Perkins+Will’s culture and every year the company donates 1% of its design services to pro bono initiatives. In 2015, Fast Company ranked Perkins+Will among “The World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Architecture.”
For more information, visit www.perkinswill.com.