Project Spotlight - Twin Oaks Branch Library

The original Twin Oaks Branch Library opened in 1956 in a neighborhood shopping mall on East Oltorf. The branch moved three times within the same shopping center, and since 1992 it has occupied only 5,360 s.f. of leased space. Funding necessary to acquire and build a permanent 10,000 s.f. replacement branch were approved in the 1998 City of Austin Bond Election.

The new Twin Oaks Branch Library opened to the public on August 21, 2010. The facility includes a large main reading area, young adult and children’s reading rooms, computer stations, staff offices and support spaces, and generous outdoor seating, including an amphitheatre area. The facility was constructed to operate as a “library for the future,” patterned after a popular new design model for community libraries which is indicative of South Austin culture and incorporates many features found in upscale bookstores.

The library was designed and constructed using Austin Energy Green Building Program standards, which has requirements similar to the United States Green Building Council's LEED Silver rating. Sustainable features include a rainwater harvesting system and a daylighting control system that dims electric lamps when the building has sufficient daylight for reading and other activities. The library also features a 25.2 kW solar energy system that is expected to generate 32,760 kWh annually, which is sufficient power for about three standard sized homes. Additionally, reused bricks salvaged during the demolition of the old South Austin Post Office building, which formerly stood on the site, were used for construction. The building includes 15 huge timber trusses made of reclaimed Douglas Fir which saved about 30 large trees.

Owner
City of Austin

Architect
Hatch Partnership

Contractor
Jamail & Smith Construction

MEP Engineer
Encotech Engineering Consultants

Structural Engineer
Jaster-Quintanilla & Associates

Civil Engineer
Raymond Chan & Associates

Landscape Architect
Winterowd Associates, Inc.

Interior Design
Laurie Smith Design Associates

Commissioning Agent
KWR Engineering Services

If you are interested in submitting a recently completed project for inclusion in the SMPS Austin Newsletter, please contact Helga Diaz.