bonita library

This 10,000 square foot San Diego County Branch Library is located on a primary commercial street and backs onto the municipal golf course. The Library is one component of a master planned small Community Campus that also includes a 4,000 square foot Local History Museum, Public Safety Center, Veteran’s Memorial and a Community Courtyard.

The Library was sited to the back of the property to maximize the views and connections to the golf course and to take advantage of the abundant northern light. A continuous 28’ tall X 50’ wide glass wall faces the course to the North and minimizes the need for artificial illumination during the day. A tall and distinctive Zinc clad tower and strong rooflines were used to create an exterior identity and visibility from the street, offsetting the siting to the back of the property.

Sustainability was inherent to the design of the building. In addition to the solar day-lighting referenced above, passive methodologies of an insulated envelope, high performance glazing, and ample shading on the southern exposure were incorporated into the design. High efficiency, CFC Free, mechanical systems and the passive systems have the building operating at 28.6% below the codified energy allowances. These resulted in cash credits to the Client from the utility provider.

The building contains a 1,200 square foot Community Room, Adult Occupational Training Center and a Friend’s of the Library Bookstore and incorporates a “marketplace” concept. All of these spaces were designed into a storefront portion of the Library. While they are integral components of the Library, they can also function and operate autonomously. There is also an outdoor Children’s patio, passive reading areas and well as a generous covered patio between the Library and the Community Room.