With thoughtful landscape design and active public spaces, the Dublin Branch library brings an urban center of gravity to a rapidly densifying suburb of Columbus, Ohio.

The third project designed by NBBJ with the Columbus Metropolitan Library, the new Dublin library doubles the square footage of the previous building and will become the system’s largest branch. In keeping with the transition of libraries in general, it is more than a place of quiet introspection, but also a place to meet, socialize, study, hang out and plug in.

The design lifts the less-active book stacks within a dynamic upper volume, which hovers above a heavier-seeming plinth that negotiates the grade change and facilitates movement down and through the library. Inside, a double-height atrium brings daylight to all levels.

At street level, the library connects to a new public plaza that transitions to the historic fabric of downtown Dublin. A flexible space for the entire community, the new library and plaza will become a major hub in a suburb on the cusp of transformation.

Awards

Columbus Underground, The Best Architectural Design of 2017

Publications

Columbus Underground, “The Best Architectural Design of 2017,” November 29, 2017
Columbus Business First, “Plan to blend modern Dublin library branch with rustic city revealed,” August 14, 2017
Columbus Business First, “Columbus Library unveils striking design for new Dublin branch,” January 12, 2017