The new North Vancouver Library is a milestone. The city had outgrown its previous library and needed a more comprehensive facility. Located in an active and accessible site, the new state-of-the-art central library doubles the capacity of the former. It also creates an animated civic plaza adjacent to Vancouver’s City Hall and the surrounding business district.

The building and its plaza are designed to take advantage of the spectacular views of the North Shore Mountains and Burrard Inlet. For the library, physical and psychological accessibility had become a priority.

Three storeys of a high-efficiency glazed envelope and a sky-lit central atrium offer openness, access, and an abundance of natural light. Operable in some parts, these glazed windows open to let in the fresh air on all sides of the building. Fully accessible, the new library supports the city by offering educational programs. This design strategy provides flexibility for a growing community. Within, common spaces can be transformed for a variety of uses.

This LEED Gold-certified library uses a combination of natural ventilation, geo-exchange cooling, and solar energy to meet the heating and cooling needs of the building. The first sustainable district energy mini-plant in Central Lonsdale provides power to the library; in exchange, the installation of rooftop solar panels collect energy for the mini-plant, which also serves the surrounding buildings.

The new North Vancouver Library responds to its cultural, social, and geographical context, encouraging the community to use the facility and contribute to its vitality and growth.