Eastside Branch Library

Location: Waterloo, Ontario
Client: Waterloo Public Library
Award: OLA Library Building Award - New Library Build Award
Joint Venture: ward99 architects inc. in a joint venture with John MacDonald Architect

Eastside Branch Library is a 12,425sf one-story new build and 2,275sf renovation of the RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex and Healthy Living Centre. The accessible building expansion services the library patrons and includes a renovation to RIM Park to accommodate library staff services. The library addition incorporates two main building zones - a quiet zone and an active collaborative zone. The building is designed to ensure the zones are open to one another to maintain visual sightlines but are also physically separated to accommodate activities of varying noise levels. The library features a digital innovation/recording studio, a gaming room, study rooms, an urban lounge, a multi-purpose program room with a kitchenette, and a makerspace. The expansion is constructed to LEED Silver Shadow.