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.

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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