Renton Public Library in Washington by The Miller Hull Partnership
by Sanjay Gangal
When it opened in 1966, the Renton Public Library was an engineering feat. With pre-cast concrete and wood truss joists creating a stunning 80-foot central span across Washington State’s Cedar River and active salmon habitat, the library is beloved by generations of families and community members. Preservation of this community treasure was a clear priority for the project, but, by 2015, the library’s envelope was deteriorating and not in line with current energy codes. The structural system and chief design element did not measure up to current seismic standards, nor could it handle potential soil liquefaction.
The renovation maintained the original structure, but added a finely crafted and efficient exterior that provides floor to ceiling views of the river below while new cross bracing and aluminum siding reflect the city’s industrial heritage. The original structure could not be constructed today due to the delicate ecosystem below it, so all construction activity took place beyond an area defined by the ordinary high water mark. The team implemented creative solutions to buttress the existing structure and soils using landward pilings, which upgraded the building seismically and avoided any habitat disruption and a morass of permitting oversight (Full story)
