A vacant grocery store transforms into a library operations center
A vacant grocery store built in 1995 has been transformed into the Multnomah County Library Operations Center in Portland, Ore.
Designed by Hennebery Eddy Architects, the 73,000-sf center keeps Multnomah County’s entire library system running, helping to manage more than 500,000 catalog materials. The project consolidates collections from multiple locations to one central space. The center also incorporates automated materials-handling technology that efficiently distributes library items across the county while also enabling staff to spend their time on patron services.
As the first project to meet the county’s fossil fuel-free buildings resolution, the center features over 600 solar panels that will fully offset the building’s energy use. In addition to the rooftop and wall-mounted PV panels, the solar design strategies include shading devices for exterior facades and deep-set windows with ceramic frit glazing that provide daylight while reducing heat gain.
The high-performance building envelope and high-efficiency MEP system with heat recovery ventilator units also reduce energy consumption. The center anticipates LEED Gold and Living Future Net-Zero Energy certifications.
Adaptive reuse of the 52,000-sf grocery store reduced calculated embodied carbon by 66% compared to new construction. The building’s exterior metal panels, produced within 145 miles of the site, contain up to 80% recycled content.
Prioritizing the wellbeing and safety of 130 employees, the interior design features daylighting, natural materials such as wood wall panels and screens, large-scale biophilic murals in common spaces, and a second-floor terrace that provides staff with access to the outdoors.
Offices, workstations, and meeting rooms are located at the building perimeter to increase daylight and views, while skylights provide daylight in the central collections area. Private wellness rooms offer privacy for lactation support and other personal use.
The design includes enhanced air filtration to mitigate pollutants and seasonal wildfire smoke, as well as structural systems engineered for increased seismic resilience.
Also onsite, Rose City Reads, a public storefront operated by the Friends of Multnomah County Library, sells used and donated books.
On the building team: Hennebery Eddy Architects (design architect and architect of record), KPFF Consulting Engineers (civil engineer), James G. Pierson (structural engineer), Arris Consulting (mechanical engineer), Interface Engineering (electrical engineer), Fortis Construction (general contractor).
