Architects

richrd+bauer
Location
Phoenix, AZ, United States
Architect
richrd+bauer
Project Team
James E. Richard (AIA Designer & Principal-in-Charge), Kelly Bauer (FIIDA Project Manager +
Interior Design), Steve Kennedy (AIA, NCARB Project Architect & CA), Erik Koss (RA Project
Architect), Stacey Kranz (IIDA, FF+E Speicifications + CA)
Mep Engineer
Energy Systems Design
Civil And Structural Engineer
KPFF, Inc.
Landscape Architect
E-Group
Contractor
Linthicum
Area
15378.0 ft2
Photographs
Bill Timmerman
From the architect. Borrowing from the symbiotic relationship of a young saguaro cacti and its
nurse tree along the arroyos edge, the expansive roof of this branch library creates a shaded
microclimate, providing filtered daylight, shelter and a nurturing environment for intellectual
growth. This projects strength is in the integration of the exterior with the interior of the
building.
The roof form extends above an adjoining arroyo 60 out into the natural desert, creating
indoor/outdoor transitional spaces providing and a seamless transition into the desert. These
outdoor reading spaces are enclosed and shaded by a series of coiled metal screens,
following the natural form of the arroyo, and are cooled by building relief air. The roof is
penetrated by a series of openings allowing filtered light into the interior and exterior spaces.
Each of the openings is treated with a fritted or colored glass creating an ever-changing
series of colors and patterns throughout the space, culminating above the childrens area.
Within the framework of the roof a series of volumes contain the meeting room, information
cubes, staff and computer training areas. Mechanical systems are enclosed within these
volumes completely eliminating ductwork and allowing for indirect lighting throughout. Above
each of the primary service points within the building Digital Information Cubes display ever
changing representations of digital information which can be seen from the exterior during
the evening. The building is sheathed in weathering steel, recalling the rustic quality of the
site and rendering the form as a found object.
Wireless internet access allowed the change of quiet study carrels into wireless lounge.
Custom end panels design to emulate the braided stream of the desert site. Brilliant desert
flora color is integral to the stucco forms designating program space. The childrens area
west wall is designed as a demountable wall to expand the space to it plus 5,000 gsf
masterplan. With movable sliding wall panels the computer lab can easily be adapted for
open public PC access.

The community has embraced Desert Broom Library. The programmatic response to the
community it serves has made Desert Broom a rich and vital part of
the Phoenix Neighborhood.