San Diego Central Library

“We were focused on finding an architecture that is about San Diego.

The library is our attempt at creating an architecture that responds honestly and authentically to who we are.”

Ivy grows on the mesh to create a green space on the library's roof.

The auditorium holds 250 people, and the wall of books is meant to be a work of art as well as an acoustical sink

Rooftop view at night

Rare Books Room: Table made from Eucalyptus Wood

Facts & Figures
Construction Cost: $185 million
Project Opening: 2013
SERVICES PROVIDED: COMPLETE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES: COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS, SITE PLANNING AND FESIBILITY STUDIES, CONCEPTUAL DESIGN THROUGH CONSTRUCTION, COORDINATION OF MULTI-DISCIPLINARY CONSULTANT TEAM AND PUBLIC ARTIST, LEED SILVER RATING.
CLIENT: CITY OF SAN DIEGO
Press
San Diego Union Tribune Twelve Years a Dome
Library Journal New Landmark Libraries 2015
Arch Paper Forty Years Later, San Diego
San Diego Union Tribune Tour New Library with its Architect
SanDiego.gov Central Library FAQs
San Diego Union Tribune Central Library: How it was paid for
San Diego Union Tribune Is this monument necessary?
San Diego Union Tribune Timeline, how the new library came to be
San Diego Union Tribune Quigley's top 10 architectural Landmarks
San Diego Union Tribune Rebar, concrete and...
TripAdvisor Where to go this weekend...

Video
KFMB Street Level Milestone
KPBS San Diego Week
RWQA Project Overview
KPBS New Library Design
Awards
2015: Library Journal / New Landmark Libraries Winner
2014: AIA San Diego / Merit Award
2014: APWA / Project of the Year / Sustainable Buildings
2014: AISC / National Award for the library dome
2014: ASCE / Outstanding Architectural Engineering
2014: AGCA / Best of the Best
2013: Best in Show "Wow!" Award
1998: AIA San Diego / Honor Award
Photo Credits
Darren Bradley, Steve Simpson, Rob Wellington Quigley Architects