Teeple Architects Inc.

John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA

John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Scott Norsworthy
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Scott Norsworthy

JOHN M. HARPER BRANCH LIBRARY & STORK FAMILY YMCA

Teeple Architects

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
Halcrow Yolles

MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
Smith and Andersen

CIVIL ENGINEERS
Planning and Engineering Initiatives Ltd.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
Fleisher Ridout Partnership Inc.

PROJECT TEAM
Stephen Teeple, Eric Boelling, Maryam Mohajer, Christian Joakim, Robert Cheung

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS
Smith and Andersen

ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT
Garwood-Jones & Hanham Architects (NB - now Invizij)

EXHIBIT CONSULTANT
Reich + Petch Design International

LEED
Silver (certified)

LEED CONSULTANT
Enermodal Engineering Ltd.

PHOTOGRAPHS
Scott Norsworthy

AREA
60000 ft²

YEAR
2011

LOCATION
Waterloo, Canada

CATEGORY
Library, Sports Architecture, Community Center

Text description provided by architect.

This mixed-use Library and Community Recreational facility posed the challenge of bringing together two diverse programs – and the needs of two diverse clients – to create an enhanced community experience.

John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Shai Gil
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Scott Norsworthy

The desire was to create a single integrated facility in which the program elements interact and elevate each other through a series of strategic architectural gestures.

The library interior includes children’s, teen and adult study spaces and stacks as well as flexible group learning and community areas. A large computer research area allows for both recreational and advanced academic study to take place.

John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Scott Norsworthy
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Scott Norsworthy

The design incorporates the latest ideas in pro-active customer service, with a small circulation desk and service points located within the service area itself.

A diagonal ‘street’ through the customer service space creates natural path of traffic from the entrance to each service area.

John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Scott Norsworthy
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Scott Norsworthy

An enclosed courtyard brings natural light into the interior and provides an alternative study space.

The LEED Silver-targeted project sought to minimize environmental impact, especially in order to mitigate the high-energy demands of the pool.

John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Scott Norsworthy
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Scott Norsworthy

Extensive daylighting was central to the design concept, creating an efficient, bright and interconnected space.

Among many strategies, the building employs displacement ventilation, green and white roofs, local, recycled and low-VOC materials, on-site storm water management, and waste diversion strategies.

John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Shai Gil
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Shai Gil
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Shai Gil
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Scott Norsworthy
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Scott Norsworthy
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Scott Norsworthy
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Scott Norsworthy
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
© Scott Norsworthy


John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
Section 1
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
Section 2
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
Section 3


John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
East Elevation
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
West Elevation
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
North Elevation
John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
South Elevation


John M. Harper Branch Library & Stork Family YMCA
Floor Plan

Teeple Architects Inc.
T +1 416 5980554 F +1 416 5981705
Teeple Architects Inc.
5 Camden Street, Toronto Ontario, M5V 1V2, Canada