MCPL Grain Valley Branch drew heavily from rural barn typology, one that is a familiar type to the local community. The building form borrows the pitched roof shape familiar in many nearby barns and mimics the old wood look of those structures. Through its materiality, the building partly references the imperfections often seen in barns by using a wood composite with a dulled color and uneven pattern. The orientation and position of the library were carefully planned to create the most optimal views toward the site while also allowing natural daylight to the interiors.
Future expansion was another driving consideration in the placement of the building. Site features, such as native plants and the entry plaza, tie in a local trail to further strengthen both physical and social connections to the community. The interior experience is designed to feel warm and inviting through materiality and provide panoramic views of the surrounding nature. Programmatic elements include adult, children, and teens book sections, numerous open seating areas, small public meeting rooms, a community room, and staff areas.
