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Hockessin Public Library Delaware

Delaware Library Building design by ikon.5 architects, USA

Oct 12, 2009

Hockessin Public Library

Location: New Castle County, Delaware, USA
Date built: 2009
Design: ikon.5 architects

Photos © James D’Addio

Hockessin Public Library

• 10,000 SF Addition
• 15,000 SF Renovation
• General Collections and Reading
• Popular Collection and New Books
• Audio Visual Collection
• Information Technology
• Children’s Library
• Hockessin Archives and Reading
• Community Meeting Rooms
• Project Completed: May 2008

Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects – New Jersey Chapter, Oct 2009

The expansion of the Hockessin Public Library is a floating glass pavilion in a park. The existing library site is bounded by a major road to the north, parking to the west and wetland to the east, leaving only the possibility for expansion to the south. The south side of the site overlooks a densely vegetated county park, but is restricted by a 100 year flood plain within close proximity to the existing library. To avoid this barrier, the expansion cantilevers over the floodplain and projects into the landscaped park.

The addition houses the children’s library. Taking advantage of its suspended position on the edge of the park, the addition is made primarily of glass allowing views of the park to envelop the interior space of the children’s library and creates an exciting learning environment for families. Filled with natural light and sights of the flora and fauna of the Delaware landscape, the children’s library is also a learning laboratory of the natural environment in which it is dramatically positioned. The design of the aluminum and ceramic fritted glass enclosure shields the intense sunlight and abstractly recalls the hanging foliage and structure of the willow trees in the adjacent park.

The project expands the existing library by adding to the most heavily utilized functions:
the children’s collection, community meeting rooms and public access services and reference. This expansion allows for a significant increase in the overall collection and seating to meet the demands of a growing community.

ikon.5

Hockessin Public Library images / information from ikon.5 architects

Location: New Castle County, Delaware, USA