Hercules Public Library
Hercules, CaliforniaLocated 25 miles northeast of San Francisco, Hercules is the only city in Contra Costa County and only one of two cities in California without a public library. Needless to say, the citizens of Hercules and the already active library commission are thrilled to house their own library in this rapidly growing town by the bay. With 42%25 of families having kids under the age of 18, they were particularly interested in providing afterschool and tutoring programs for K-12 students. Based on the population's diversity in ethnicity and interests, the library encompasses everything from being a research facility to offering a heritage garden and an art gallery for local artists.
Being a bedroom community, the new library fills a local cultural void by incorporating community events as a platform to socialize and foster intercultural understanding and cooperation.
HGA in association with Will Bruder architects, whose designs have a reputation for their innovative and symbolic quality, created a building that truly merges design as an expressive form of art and functionality with the community's desire to grow not only geographically but most importantly its intellect and culture.