Argo Park Library — PEYTON STEURER

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Upon further dissection of the term “refuge,” this 10,000 square foot library focuses on refuge as a place of safety, both for people and for books. Situated on an island in Ann Arbor, MI, with the Huron River to the south and the Argo Cascades to the north, the Argo Park Library contains its entire collection of books on the third floor. The greatest threat to these library books is the water that surrounds them; thus, they are places as high up (and as far away from the water) as possible. The third floor contains browsing, collections, and the childrens’ library, as well as a reading room. On the first floor, the library goer enters by continuing on the existing pathway that runs along the island, and walking through the double doors in the middle of the space. To the left is the main circulation desk, and a porch-like reading and working area is just beyond the entryway. Walking further into the library, people are able to travel onto the rooftop terrace that looks out over the water. The basement floor houses the computer lab, restrooms, and a reading room which is underneath the terrace. Glass walls int he basement computer and reading rooms allow for the feeling of safety and refuge by calling attention to the position of the person walking underground, yet allowing for light to come in through the south facade, as well as giving visual access to the outdoors.