We often hear of libraries being closed to make way for commercial space, not the other way around.
But architecture firm Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle Architecture has had the opportunity to do the opposite. The company turned a 123,000-square-foot building that was used to be a Wal-Mart store, into a public library. The McAllen, Texas library is the largest single-story public library in the United States. 99percentvisible.org has the scoop:
The open floor area was strategically split into various sections, including public meeting spaces and computer labs, as well as an auditorium, bookstore and cafe. On the ceiling above, the designers left structural and mechanical elements exposed, coating them in white paint. Below, bright carpets, colorful floors and modern details distinguish various occupied zones and transitional areas. New colors and materials have transformed the entry and exterior.