Capitol Hill Library

This is the new 19,000-square-foot public library in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The structural system is a steel frame and the lateral system is a concentrically braced frame and steel moment frames. The main room of the library has a vaulted ceiling formed by the triangle. The triangular roof is supported by a series of steel king-post trusses, which are, in turn, supported by steel queen-post trusses. We also designed the exterior support wall systems with a wire mesh structure intended for plant materials that, over time, will provide a living “face” to the building. Other sustainable features include a green roof, the reuse of the existing foundation, use of recycled steel for the superstructure and a rainwater detention system.