Thresholds of Civic Space for Connection, Resilience, and Community

Organized and led by Co-Commissioners Peter MacKeith, Dean of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, University of Arkansas; Susan Chin, Founding Principal, DesignConnects; Rod Bigelow, Executive Director, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary, PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity explores the porch as a site of civic and cultural life.

Much like the porch blurs thresholds between public and private, libraries are civic thresholds where individual discovery intersects with collective life. They are shaded gathering spaces that foster exchange, ecological responses to their environments, and democratic platforms for community dialogue. The projects demonstrate that libraries are more than repositories of books—they are platforms for civic connection and shared identity.

“Our work in the Desert Southwest explores the idea of “porch” through architectural design that connects people to the landscape, fosters social interaction, and embraces environmental sustainability. In this region, the “porch” becomes a symbolic space that balances the transition between the indoor and outdoor environment, reflecting the cultural and environmental context of the desert,” said Kevin Kolden, Designer at Richärd Kennedy Architects.

Asante Library Incorporates an outdoor plaza with bench seating beneath shaded tree canopies, enhancing social interaction and community gathering. The thoughtful use of glazing connects interior spaces with the surrounding landscape, promoting a seamless blend between built and natural environments. The dynamic sun-filtering canopy on the building’s exterior enhances environmental resilience by controlling solar gain and evoking the experience of being sheltered under a desert tree, creating a “porch-like” environment that encourages communal engagement.

Desert Broom Library extends the idea of “on the porch” through its expansive roof, which creates shaded outdoor reading areas and a nurturing environment for learning. Its integration with the natural desert environment provides a transition between interior and exterior spaces, fostering a connection with the landscape. The use of colored glass and filtered light creates an inviting and ever-changing atmosphere, while the building’s thoughtful environmental design makes it an integral part of its community.

Sunrise Mountain Library Sheltered beneath an undulating roof, the design of the library blends the experience of the nearby landscape with the interior, welcoming visitors to pause, meet, and engage.

At a time when library funding is increasingly uncertain, these projects' inclusion in PORCH underscores the importance of sustained investment in civic infrastructure. Libraries are not just cultural amenities. They are vital democratic spaces that provide access, equity, and resilience for communities of all sizes. Just as a PORCH invites people to gather, libraries require ongoing public support to continue serving as places of generosity, hospitality, and exchange.

The PORCH exhibition will take place from May 10, 2025, to November 23, 2025.