We’re excited to have Pleasant Hill Library recognized with an honorable mention ‘Silver Medal’ in the 2023 Architect’s Newspaper Best of Design awards, Library category. Reviewing a record number of entries, the Best of Design jury of industry leaders and AN editors used “honorable mentions designations to put a special spotlight on projects they deemed particularly strong.”

Targeting net-zero energy, the all-electric Pleasant Hill Library is an inclusive community destination where all ages are encouraged to learn, create, and explore. An expansive central hall welcomes an average of 1,500 daily visitors and allows easy reconfiguration of stacks should programmatic needs evolve. Movable furniture delineates zones tailored to youth, teens, and adults, while bringing pops of color to the interior. A continuous south-facing clerestory and large skylights bring natural light indoors, while three cedar-clad pavilions house a ‘messy makerspace’, ‘story lab,’ and a quiet reading ‘retreat.’ The library was conceived alongside three adjacent projects partially located within the Grayson Creek 100-year floodplain, including multifamily housing, future sports fields, and roadwork improvements. Together, the project team mitigated flood concerns, while knitting sites together with bike and pedestrian pathways.

The Pleasant Hill Library team included Swinerton Management and Consulting, BHM Construction, EinwillerKuehl Landscape Architecture, Margaret Sullivan Studio, Rutherford & Chekene, Introba, Apeiro Design, Sherwood Engineers, and Etsuki Creative, with photography by Matthew Millman. Learn more about the project and the AN Best of Design awards below.