Replacing an Aging Branch with a Modern Space
The County of San Diego set out to replace its aging branch library in the community of Lakeside with a modern facility designed to better serve residents and reflect contemporary library use. Through a design-build competition, HED was selected for the new library, a single-story building that blends sleek, modern architecture with flexible, community-focused spaces.
The design features tall rooflines and high ceilings that create a sense of openness and welcome. Clean architectural lines, contemporary materials, and a fresh color palette give the building a modern aesthetic, while expansive glazing floods interiors with natural light. Inside, the library is organized into distinct zones for children, teens, and adults, with spaces designed to support study, reading, gathering, and events.
Key program areas include a children’s room with a feature wall and story-time area, a teen zone with flexible study rooms, and an adult area with stacks, reading areas, and small group study rooms. A large, divisible community room provides space for public meetings and events, complete with a catering kitchen, storage, and audiovisual systems. Recognizing the importance of after-hours community use, these spaces are designed with independent access. The “Friends of the Library” also have a dedicated space for book sales and programming that directly supports the library’s mission.
The lobby and marketplace serve as active gathering points, while staff offices, work areas, and support spaces enable smooth day-to-day operations. Public amenities include restrooms, a small conference room available for community use, and both interior and exterior book drops for convenience.
The library extends outdoors with the Poets’ Patio, a landscaped courtyard inspired by traditional Spanish patios. Enclosed by walls to create intimacy, the patio provides a welcoming venue for reading, socializing, and after-hours functions. Landscaping across the site emphasizes native species and low-water use while subtly discouraging cut-through foot traffic with a “pretty but prickly” approach to planting. Parking is designed to meet County requirements, including spaces for electric vehicles.
Sustainability was a guiding priority for the project. The building achieved LEED Gold certification and received recognition under the Living Building Challenge Zero Net Energy Petal. Energy efficiency strategies, daylighting, and advanced mechanical and lighting systems reduce environmental impact while lowering long-term operating costs.
The Lakeside Library represents a major civic investment in community resources. More than a replacement for an aging facility, it creates a modern hub for education, culture, and connection as an adaptable, energy-efficient library that will serve Lakeside for decades to come.
