Examples Of Our Work:
Homer Public Library, Homer, Alaska
Contracting Agency/Owner : City of Homer
This Homer Public Library project has been discussed and planned for
many years by the citizens of Homer. Construction on this $6 million project
by the City of Homer began in May, 2005, and involves the development
of a 3.01 acre vacant lot in the central business district of Homer Alaska,
as well as the construction of a 17,200 square foot building. The design
and construction of this facility is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) certified. The library is located at the corner of Heath St and
Hazel Ave in Homer Alaska.
The project includes the surveying and development of the entire lot including extensive excavation and backfill for the building footprint. The foundation system is a cast in place concrete footing with CFMU foundation walls on the perimeter of the building and cast in place concrete footings and pilings throughout the rest of the footprint. These support the structural steel and exposed glue lam truss framework that is the bones of the building. The floor is a radiantly heated concrete slab on grade.
Outside, the building has a log entry way, an amphitheatre,
walking trails, and car parking. Exterior finishes include cedar, corrugated
metal, and fiber cement sidings as well as aluminum structurally sealed/glazed
curtain walls and storefronts. The roof systems are standing rib metal
and EPDM applied over a rigid foam/plywood over steel pan deck substrate.
The layout of the interior incorporates an adult section, a teen section
and a children's section. Study nooks, a reading room, a reference area,
a conference room, a lounge with a custom hand built rock fireplace, business
support resources, wireless internet access, restrooms, and public space
are provided for the general public. Offices, administration space and
a break room are also provided for the library staff. The interior includes
aluminum architectural storefronts fitted with both glazed aluminum and
wood doors, architectural concrete and casework, utility casework, exposed
steel columns and beams, painted GWB, ceramic and glass tile, carpet and
resilient flooring are all utilized in finishing the interior of the building.
The site development includes access by two driveways, a paved 56 space parking lot. Architectural concrete retaining walls, side walks, gravel trails, exposed aggregate sidewalks, stairs, ramps, and an elevated plaza paved with concrete pavers provide pedestrian access to the building. River rock lined swales and detention ponds are constructed to detain runoff and minimize off-site erosion and reduce peak storm water flows. Areas of grass, gardens, architecturally placed boulders and driftwood logs complete the landscaping package. Construction was completed in September of 2006.
The Homer Public Library was awarded the LEED Silver certificate in July 2007. This is the first community building in the state of Alaska to receive this prestigious award.
