River Center Branch Library

A centerpiece of the downtown River Center in Baton Rouge, the new library is designed to be an engaging cultural space and community amenity. Envisioned as a multifaceted learning resource, the library provides traditional collections as well as a range of new creative learning spaces including a maker room, green screen film stage and recording studio. The building design is a direct response to its environment, both natural and man-made. The library embraces its identity as a community amenity by providing a large shaded public plaza, which responds to and extends North Boulevard Town Square. A large trellised terrace on the top level extends the public meeting rooms, providing a truly unique common space in the city. The building responds to the climatic conditions of South Louisiana by maximizing openings to the North, and providing custom designed sunshades and screening elements to the windows on the other facades. The River Center Library is set to be a showpiece of downtown that’s been developed into a more vibrant urban community over recent years.

*This project is a joint venture with Schwartz/Silver Architects