On November 8, HMC Architects and Balfour Beatty were presented with an Honor Award from the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) for J. Paul Leonard Library and Sutro Library at San Francisco State University. The national design-build awards are presented to the highest-rated projects in each category and are the most prestigious project awards presented by DBIA. The Leonard Library was honored in the Rehabilitation/Renovation/Restoration category.

The Leonard Library is a tribute to the teamwork of all the stakeholders who had the vision to go beyond and push the edges of design-build methodology. It’s a standout example of what design-build can achieve when confronted with a complicated program and diverse client goals. The new $103.8 million library renovation and expansion project addressed the need to accommodate a growing student population and restored structural inadequacies while concurrently updating the building’s electrical and telecommunication systems.

Originally constructed in three phases (1953, 1959 and 1971), this two-phase design-build project included the construction of the “West Addition” that houses book stacks and the installation of an automated library book retrieval system at ground level; the construction of the “North Addition;” the renovation and seismic reinforcement of the existing library. In total, the project adds 34% more space, 50% more seating, 50% more group study areas, 50% more collection capacity, both in open stacks and a high-density automated retrieval system, and 100% more computers; all while providing a flexible and congenial learning environment in the heart of campus.

“The library provides an excellent example of collaboration between the design-build team and owner on a very complex project,” said Simon Y. Lam, Associate Vice President of Capital Planning, Design and Construction at San Francisco State University. “Throughout the project the design-build team took a collaborative approach and exercised creativity and speed in resolving issues, resulting in a building of significant architectural merit. The library has been transformed into a light-filled and open structure that welcomes students and, in turn, has transformed and enlivened the surrounding campus. San Francisco State University is very proud of the new facility and we are grateful to the HMC / Balfour Beatty design-build team for its success.”

In addition, earlier this year, the project received Project of the Year from DBIA-Western Pacific Region – the highest award in this region’s annual competition that honors the top projects in California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Arizona.