Summary
This rebuild of the 35,000 square foot Kearns Library for Salt Lake County occurred on a new site. Located at 4275 West 5345 South, the final product built by R&O Construction, serves a community of over 35,000 residents as a safe place for children and adults to hang out and learn. In addition to a large media collection and quiet study areas, the library features a kitchen for culinary arts, teen gaming area, and various craft education spaces. The civil site work by Meridian included Drainage and Accessible grading plans, utility plans including water and sewer, and site hydraulic analysis and design for several on-site storm water retention basins. Construction period services and storm water pollution prevention plans were also included in the civil design scope.
Special Project Consideration: LEED Gold Project – repurposed salvaged wood from demolished church on the site. Includes geothermal heating and cooling systems designed by VBFA.
Project Details
- Owner: Salt Lake County, John Bergen
- Client: Architectural Nexus, Robb Harrop
- Completion Date: December 2020
- Cost: $10.4 million
Civil Survey Team
- Nichole Luthi, Senior Project Manager
- Michael Nadeau, Survey Project Manager
The New Kearns Library
Because of old age, the original library built in 1965 gave way to this 35,000 square foot replacement facility. Built adjacent to the previous building, the new site along 5400 South allows increased visibility, access and usability. Robb Harrop at Architectural Nexus goal with producing the new design to help regenerate the Kearns community, create lasting change and to cultivate the people and place.
“The new design brings people together in a comfortable fashion, welcomes cultural diversity, provides a sense of choice and opportunity, and mixes the kind of creative yet cozy ambiance that one thinks of when they imagine a library.” Because it is more than a library, classes are available with multiple creative spaces, such as a music studio, bicycle repair area, sewing classroom, and even a kitchen for culinary arts. When inside the space, one will experience a colorful and energetic environment including 3 large murals on the walls by local artist and professor, Matt Monsen. On the outside, there are smart accessible pathways and plazas to enjoy. The library also has a drive through book return which makes it convenient that you don’t have to get out of your car in inclement weather.