Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Architect: Looney Ricks Kiss Architects
This $65 million library is built on a 12 acre urban site in Memphis. It is 6 stories including a basement, garden level and mechanical penthouse. It is 330,000 SF and was constructed with a one-way pan joist system using concrete shear walls. A monumental stair is the centerpiece of this public gathering space. In addition to the material collections, public reading rooms, and staff workplaces, the fully accessible building provides public meeting rooms that are available after hours, and bookstore, as well as a public radio and TV studio.