DESIGNWORKS 2022

Richland 1 School District/ Rosewood Elementary School Library Addition

Columbia , SC

Quackenbush Architects + Planners- Columbia SC

First constructed in the 1930’s, Rosewood Elementary School sought a reimagined library to support a broader range of individual and collaborative activities. With inadequate space available within the existing school, plans for a new library addition were developed, with an emphasis on these design strategies to foster learning and academic success: Allow Collaboration: The design provides open, comfortable spaces with soft seating and flexible furnishings to encourage spontaneous, enabled learning. Enable Customization: The reading room is organized into zones that support varying group sizes and activities, from individual study to one-on-one coaching or small group collaboration, and even multi-class assembly. Plan for Flexibility, Mobility, and Agility: The flexibility of the plan and furnishings not only provides customization in the moment, but also sets the stage for evolution over time. Maximize Comfort: In addition to soft seating, the comfort of the space is optimized in terms of daylighting, views outdoors, acoustics, and air quality. A soothing color-palette of blues, greens, and neutrals promotes calm and contemplation. Adapt to Technology: Wired and wireless infrastructure allows anytime/anywhere access, not only planning for the needs of today, but also preparing for the needs of tomorrow. A final charge to the design team was to create a space that stimulates the imagination of a child. By using colors seen in nature, creating a cozy “bird nest” between two curving bookshelves, keeping the interiors scaled for children, and providing a dramatic sculpture of birds in flight ascending into the lightwell, this space does just that.