Laramie County Central Library

Laramie County Central Library is a civic library that reflects the values and aspirations of the citizens of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Throughout project programming, stakeholders expressed a desire for a building that embraces the blending of an urban, historic city with a rural, Western spirit and ethos. The building captures the opportunities of a less urban site while utilizing building form, materials, and detailing to reflect a civic presence and purpose.

Located between downtown Cheyenne and surrounding residential areas, the site allows the building to reinforce the civic role of a downtown library within a suburban site. The building’s sweeping curvilinear form and large, picture windows reveal the activities within while animating the streetscape below. The form of the building also reflects duality in its simple yet expressive form; a flexible brick box is overlaid by curved forms that respond to the site and mark unique functional zones.

The interior of the library continues this formal/informal design approach by balancing multi-story, civic-scaled architecture with informal, comfortable furnishings and warm finishes reminiscent of a prairie in bloom. Different spaces within the library take on distinct programmatic roles to support diverse interests. The quiet reading room offers a moment of fireside repose with a view to the state capitol. The special collections room integrates elements from historic Cheyenne architecture, while the main reading room includes colorful daylit nooks for casual reading. Notably, the library was the first LEED Gold public building in the state of Wyoming, in which materials, lighting, and daylighting supported a building that reflects environmental stewardship and economic efficiency.  

In collaboration with Tobin & Associates