Arts + Culture

Cedar Rapids Public Library

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Owner
City of Cedar Rapids
Architect
OPN Architects
Service
General Contractor
City
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Size
95,000 SF

The new 95,000 SF public library replaces the previous building that was damaged by the 2008 flood. The library houses the adult, young adult and children’s collections as well as provide study rooms, public access computers, meeting rooms, support staff offices and workrooms, a coffee shop, a 20,000 SF green roof, and a 200-seat auditorium. The site includes an urban plaza featuring a major piece of public art, a covered drive that accesses both the coffee shop pick-up window and the drive-up book drop, and a parking lot for 38 cars.

Awards & Achievements

+ LEED Platinum

+ 2017 American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter – Excellence in Sustainability Award

+ 2017 Institute of Museum and Library Services – National Medal for Museum and Library Studies

+ 2015 Library Journal – Landmark Library

+ 2015 American Institute of Architects & American Library Association – Library Building Award

Awards & Achievements

+ 2015 1,000 Friends of Iowa – Best Development Award

+ 2014 American Institute of Architects, Central States Region – Merit Award

+ 2014 Illuminating Engineering Society – Merit Award

+ 2014 ASHRAE Technology Award, Midwest Region – First Place