Architecture
Lakewood Public Library's choice of Robert A.M. Stern – a modern traditionalist acclaimed for his ability to adapt historical styles to a contemporary context and integrating buildings in their settings – speaks forcefully and intelligently to the unique qualities of Lakewood. The great hope of Lakewood’s citizens for their city and library is clearly established in the library’s building program and choice of architect. Robert A.M. Stern Architects is known for beautiful, cost-effective, long-lasting, memorable, successful and welcoming buildings. Projects include the Nashville Public Library, Bangor Public Library, Clearwater Public Library, Miami Beach Library, the Main Library in Jacksonville, Florida, and the Main Library in Columbus, Georgia.
Under Mr. Stern’s leadership, Robert A.M. Stern Architects has provided Lakewood Public Library and the citizens of Lakewood with a well-designed library that meets the functional needs of program, while complimenting our downtown neighborhood context and reinforcing the character and vitality of our city.
Since 2004 the Lakewood Public Library administration and Board of Trustees worked with Robert A.M. Stern Architects, an internationally recognized leader in public library design on the expansion and renovation of Lakewood’s Main Library.
The size of the facility increased from approximately 55,000 square feet to 93,000 square feet. There are substantial increases in space for children’s services, technology, audio-visual services, public seating and shelving capacity. A grand reading, quiet room, auditorium and multipurpose room will support the library’s program. Parking spaces roughly doubled to 62 spaces.
The project was phased in a way that allowed Main Library to remain open for access to materials, programs and services.
Art is for the worth the wait. With Robert A.M. Stern Architects, Lakewood will set the standard for excellence in public library design and realize extraordinary value of its capital investment, For many decades to come, a signature presence on Detroit Avenue will distinguish Lakewood Public Library and our community’s commitment to beauty, knowledge and faith in an intelligent future.
Artist's Rendering
See also: full-page pdf view
Renowned architectural illustrator Thomas W. Schaller presents a breath-taking artist’s rendering of Lakewood Public Library. With uncommon artistic power, Mr. Schaller captures the block-to-block civic dreamscape that has informed our work with the Robert A.M. Stern Architects team on this exciting public library project.
Incidentally, Mr. Schaller was awarded the Hugh Ferriss Memorial Prize by
the American Society of Architectural Perspectivists, the highest honor in
the profession, not once but twice, in 1988 and again in 2000. Exhibited throughout
the world Mr. Schaller’s work has received numerous awards. Mr. Schaller
has conducted lectures and workshops about architectural illustration in Great
Britain, Europe, Canada, Japan and at many institutions including: the Graduate
School of Design at Harvard University, The Parsons School of Design in New
York City, Cooper Union in New York City, The Chicago Architecture Foundation,
The Graham Foundation and recently, for The Walt Disney Animation and Imagineering
Studios. He is the author of an acclaimed guide, Architecture In Watercolor.
