View of the north facing façade (Photos by David Wakely)

The new home of the J. Paul Leonard Library incorporates the existing Sutro Library, providing expanded study and computing space for users, growth space for collections, and access to new technologies.

Rather than a simple addition to the current amalgamation of spaces built over 20 years, the new structure is a unified edifice that interweaves new life into the complex.

The existing library is wrapped on the north and west sides with a new four-level addition that includes public and circulation space. This dynamic glass-enclosed wrapper acts as the main public interface for the library, while the concrete frame structure fuses the existing with the new. Stairways and shafts were moved to the outside of the building, creating interior spaces that are open and comfortable for contemplation. A high-density automated book storage system frees up valuable floor space for study and collaboration areas.

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