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Recently announced as the Excellence in Institutional Wood Design Award winner at the Wood WORKS! Alberta Prairie Wood Design Awards, we thought it would be a good time to take a look back at the construction of Edmonton Public Library (EPL)'s new Capilano Branch, designed by Patkau Architects and Group2.
At a location situated just south of 101 Avenue and wedged between 67 Street and Fulton Ravine, EPL and the City of Edmonton held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 4, 2017 for the new southeast Edmonton library, attended by EPL CEO Pilar Martinez and Councillor Ben Henderson.
By August 2017, much of the foundation work was already complete.
The steel structure outlined the striking jagged profile of the building in October 2017, and installation of the wood ceilings was beginning.
Jumping ahead nearly a year to August 2018, exterior aluminum cladding and transparent glazing was well underway, including the large windows that look out at the treed Fulton Ravine.
Construction wrapped up quickly and the library was officially opened in November 2018, with a grand opening held on November 23 where many visitors got their first glimpse at the spacious interior warmed by the wood ceilings and large windows overlooking the natural ravine.
EPL's Capilano Branch is more than just a place to find books; the library also features quiet study spaces, a MakerSpace, a play area for children, and a community space available for bookings.
Now over a year since its completion, EPL's Capilano Branch stands as a striking piece of architecture that takes full advantage of its location between city and nature, while offering vital amenities to residents of southeast Edmonton (outside of the current COVID-19 situation at least).
Got a suggestion for a future Throwback Thursday? Drop us a comment below, where you can also let us know what you think of the EPL Capilano Library Branch!
