Morgan Hill Library Schematic Design

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The first phases of the Morgan Hill project started inauspiciously with a chance meeting at the farm market about a potential portable to be located by the Friends of the Library at the front of the Library. After a quick assessment, we determined that there was both a need and an opportunity to provide a more enhanced design approach that included a full program review with the Friends, staff, users and the larger Community. WMA was enlisted to prepare the design program (the analysis and assessment) and then develop an approach that would allow incremental construction dependent on funding resources.

The timing of the multiple meetings with the Friends, all staff members and community groups extended over several months so that all members could have a say. The outcome was a very specific list of needs and also clear requirements for flexible space and community space. Since the project started small with a portable, the integration of the new uses into the existing space had to make sense both functionally and financially. The design evolved schematically with all members input and the outcome was presented to the Friends, the Library Staff, the Morgan Hill Library and Arts Commission and the Council.

The phasing approach allows the project to be constructed so that the current functional spaces are not impacted and the new spaces can be constructed without significant interaction with the existing users and spaces. additions to the existing library to better suit the needs of the growing Morgan Hill population. It was an intensive project starting with interviews of staff and users, programming and then the development of a phased design focused on those areas most needed to start and those that would allow for additions and remodeling in an organized and effective process.

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