Project Sectors
HISTORY
Since the 1940s and Alberta’s first oil strike, the Town of Devon has been growing in population and infrastructure needs. Situated a mere 26 kilometres southwest of Edmonton, Devon is primarily known for its recreation opportunities and its quiet residential neighbourhoods. The Devon Public Library has been operating from its current home in the Devon Mall since 2007 and even with an addition in 2014, the library’s needs and requirements have been outgrowing its 8000 square foot space. The Devon Library consulted with our team, desiring a more in-depth understanding of their design options and the feasibility of either staying in their current space, or moving to a new home that can better accommodate their needs.
VISION
We were guided in our vision by several key objectives: improved accessibility, an open, welcoming, and well-coordinated floor layout, and increased visibility for staff and visitors. The current space restrictions were limiting the library’s efficiency and capacity and librarians were most keenly feeling the pinch. Increasing the overall floor space would allow for improved engagement with library visitors by increasing accessibility for those with limited physical capacity and adding more essential and non-essential services, such as computer stations, quiet study areas and soft seating for children and adults.
TRADING SPACES
The solution that we ultimately recommended was to move the library into the current Municipal Offices and to renovate and expand the existing space. This strategy, though, is dependent upon the relocation of the municipal staff and services into another building, the vacant Imperial Oil headquarters. We are excited to explore this option and other opportunities for the Library and to deepen in our relationship with the beautiful Town of Devon!
