Located in downtown Ithaca, the project transforms an underutilized parking lot into a municipal library designed to engage diverse age groups within the community.

Responding to its surroundings, the building engages the sloping landscape and the adjacent river. The architectural form emerges from the integration of curvilinear and orthogonal geometries, shaped by site conditions and spatial organization.

The project combines prefabricated concrete panels with in-situ concrete, striking a balance between construction efficiency, cost, and potential carbon considerations. Beyond programmatic organization and circulation, the design considered regulatory requirements, including ADA accessibility and life-safety standards.

The building’s form and orientation are further optimized for natural daylighting and overall energy efficiency.