Performance Driven, Poetically Crafted Architecture

Oak Park Public Library

Public Library

Historic Village CenterCentre Site

The Library’s architecture builds upon the community’s rich architectural heritage, some of which—Frank Lloyd’s Unity Temple and Jens Jensen’s Scoville Park—forms the Library’s environment. Design included a partial street closure that increased floor area and decreased building height, and made the Library a direct participant in Jensen’s park.

The Library is located in the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District.

Chicago Building Congress Design Award

The Library’s primary public facades create complementary backdrops to other historic designs. The stone-faced street façade reflects the formal architecture of neighboringneighbouring buildings including Unity Temple. The undulating, copper-clad park façade mimics tree lines and provides an organic background that will naturally patina over time.