Richärd Kennedy Architects - with White Baux Studio - has won a national Library Interior Design Award in the public library category for Gateway Library, given biennially by the American Library Association (ALA) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).

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“Libraries continue to evolve as vital hubs for learning, collaboration, and community connection, and this year’s winning projects demonstrate how design can actively shape those experiences,” said Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA. “We celebrate forward-thinking environments that balance innovation, accessibility, and human-centered design while redefining what modern libraries can offer their users.”

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Entries were reviewed by a jury of interior design and library professionals: Principal at LJC Design & Engineering, Sarah Doriani; Librarian III and Associate Dean of University Libraries at the University of Nevada, Linda Kopecky; Principal and Commercial Market Leader at CannonDesign, Emily Stampanato, IIDA.

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“The jury was impressed by the breadth of design solutions, from adaptive academic environments to welcoming civic spaces that foster engagement and discovery,” said Stampanato on behalf of the jury. “Each winning project demonstrated a strong sense of purpose through thoughtful materiality, spatial planning, and user experience, illustrating the transformative impact of design within libraries today.”

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Gateway Library is designed to reflect the City’s mission: “curiosity, learning, connection, inspiration, creativity, and dreaming starts here.” The library offers a vibrant, flexible environment that remains connected to nature while providing state-of-the-art, future-forward programs and technology.

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Gateway Library will be honored at the 2026 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago.

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