Andrew Burges Architects

Manhattan Beach Public Library

MANHATTAN BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY

HED + Johnson Favaro

Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier

ARCHITECTS
Johnson FavaroDesigners: HED

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Choong Kim

MANUFACTURERS
Autodesk, Vitrocsa, Cristacurva, Kingspan Light + Air

CLIENTS
Cw Driver, Cw Driver, Llc

AREA
21000 ft²

YEAR
2014

LOCATION
United States

CATEGORY
Library

Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier

Text description provided by architect.

HED worked as executive architect in collaboration with Johnson Favaro on this 21,000 SF, two-story library with panoramic ocean views.

HED designed the double façade described below to recover heat gain and reduce maintenance costs.

Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier
Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier
Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier

The program also included associated site improvements, access ramps, walkways, landscaping and underground utilities.

Cultivated for millennia, wool remains widely popular for its warmth, durability and moisture-repellant properties.

While we associate wool with warmth, it’s a little-known fact that it’s the spaces—the hollow pockets in the material—rather than the fibers themselves that capture and hold heat.

Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier
Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier

In a groundbreaking, integrated design-build process for Manhattan Beach Library, HED’s team of architects, building scientists and mechanical engineers leveraged this idea to create a global first—a horizontal active double skin façade (ADSF).

Originally planned by the design architect as a single-glazed rain screen, our team proposed changing the exterior to an ADSF to dramatically reduce energy costs and maintenance and preserve the library’s transparency.

Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier
Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier

Consisting of three functional layers—an outer glazing, an inner glazing, and a continuous two-foot air gap between the two walls—this pioneering design drastically reduces the library’s energy load by effectively surrounding the structure with a thermal blanket.

Aesthetically stunning as well as functional, the ADSF was a key contributor to this award-winning library’s openness, transparency and aesthetic delight—and to its LEED Gold certification.

Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier
Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier

The completed design reconciles highly technical engineering requirements with aspirations for a beautiful, open civic presence.

Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier
Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier


Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier
Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier
Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier
Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier


Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier
Manhattan Beach Public Library
© Eric Staudenmaier


Manhattan Beach Public Library
Axonometric
Manhattan Beach Public Library
Axonometric

Andrew Burges Architects
T +61 2 93317433 F +61 2 93317488
Andrew Burges Architects
32/61 Marlborough St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia