Currently housed in an undersized building with insufficient parking, limited walk-ability and no connection to its surroundings, the new Normal Public Library will be relocated to the city’s Uptown 2.0 District and transformed into a 21st Century Library that will act as an anchor for district and stimulate public, private and residential development.

Programming and schematic design have been completed for what will likely be Normal’s first net-zero building. After schematic design, the community will proceed with fundraising to secure the remaining funds to construct the new library.

OPN Architects first had the opportunity to work with the Normal Public Library during the Library Journal Institute in Nashville in November 2015. Through this process, we learned about the community’s goals and objectives, as well as the opportunities and challenges associated with the desired site in the Uptown 2.0 District south of the railroad tracks.

As a follow up to the Design Institute, OPN conducted three similar sessions with the Normal Public Library staff; board of directors and city officials; and the community in Normal.

The design of the new library emphasizes community by employing high degrees of transparency in public areas, innovative and flexible gathering spaces, and using the activity/programming that occurs within the building to be its calling card. All of this was done with the intent of achieving the Energy Petal for the Living Building Challenge alongside LEED Platinum Certification.