Peter James Harlan
Principal & Owner
Peter James Harlan
Principal & Owner
chicago public library, albany park branch
completed 2015
14,000 square feet
construction cost $8.7 million
The concept of Albany Park was to make the library an architecturally expressive learning tool with an exposed structural ‘bridge’ truss and floating wood ceiling that extended to the exterior soffit. The siting of the building tight to the east allowed for an exterior reading garden with a rainwater collection system. Jackson Harlan worked with community groups on the design and used materials on the exterior that replicated the 1950’s library that it replaced. The children’s area was designed to mimic a playground with ‘slide’ window seats and a talk tube.
client - chicago public library, chicago public building commision
general contractor - wight construction
structural engineer - TGRWA
mep engineers - dbhms engineering
landscape architects - terry guen design associates
civil engineering - david mason & associates
foster avenue entrance
reading room
interior structure
children's reading / play area
reading garden - planter rain water storage
reading room
original 1961 albany park library