Patience S. Latting Northwest Library
Patience S. Latting Northwest Library
Oklahoma City, OK

Design Rooted in Place and Context

The first branch library constructed by the Metropolitan Library System in over 30 years, the Patience S. Latting Northwest Library combines imagery of the Oklahoma prairie with the technology and purpose of a modern library. Borrowing from Oklahoma’s unique sense of place, the design of the public library integrates local iconography in the form of the building. A large horizontal roof plane, constructed of steel wide flange beams and bar joists, framing is supported by a series of derrick like monitors, creating an iconic roofline set against the surrounding suburban neighborhood. The adjacent native grasslands roll up under the roof creating an elliptical knoll that embraces the library program within. As one moves, closer to the building a slice in the earthen form leads to the trellised main building entry.

Once inside the building, large forms transition to organizing elements that create a clear programmatic layout. The underside of the roof plane is skinned with cedar planks that slide above all the interior spaces and continue out to the edge of the exterior overhang. Several derrick forms define space with their steel structure, while others are skinned in glass creating study rooms. The earthen knoll is held back from the program space with board formed concrete walls that roll up and down along the perimeter building. Only the second Oklahoma City project to be registered for LEED certification, sustainability drove many design decisions. Energy demand was decreased by 30 percent with a ground-source geothermal system and generous natural day lighting. Heat gain was decreased with deep roof overhangs and reflective roofing materials.

For long-term flexibility and visual control, the primary reading room is a large singular space. The primary collections are organized around the primary service desk located under a skylight monitor adjacent to the technology zone and media areas. The diagonal corners are open for passage to the adult lounge, story time, and young adult areas. This configuration maximizes visual control of the library and provides for maximum separation of quiet areas from those with more activity. Quiet lounge areas are organized adjacent to the windowed areas along the north and east, maximizing views and access to natural daylight.

The concept borrows from Oklahoma’s unique sense of place. A roof plane is supported by a series of derrick like monitors. These derricks, alongside the grasslands create an iconic roofline contrasting the nearby neighborhood. The grasslands roll up under the roof, sheltering and surrounding the interior library program within. 


Design Architect:  Richärd Kennedy Architects


Architect of Record:  LWPB Architecture


Client:  City of Oklahoma + Metropolitan Library System


Size:  35,000 SF


Project Type:  Civic + Public


Services:  Architecture, Programming, Planning, Sustainability, Library Design, Interior Design


Delivery Method:  Design Build


General Contractor:  Atlas General Contracting


MEP Engineer:  ZRHD Engineers


Structural Engineer:  Engineering Stolutions


Civil Engineer:  Legacy Engineering


Landscape Design Architect:  Howard Fairbairn Site Design


Photographer:  Joseph Mills 


Certification:  LEED Silver Certified


2013 – AIA Oklahoma, Honor Award, Commercial Design


2012 – AIA Central Oklahoma, Citation Award


2012 – AIA Central States Region, Merit Award

The concept borrows from Oklahoma’s unique sense of place. A roof plane is supported by a series of derrick like monitors. These derricks, alongside the grasslands create an iconic roofline contrasting the nearby neighborhood. The grasslands roll up under the roof, sheltering and surrounding the interior library program within. 

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