In 2003, DMA in association with Anders Dahlgren was retained by the Rockford Public Library to perform a system-wide Needs Assessment Study to plan the Library's capacity and services for the next twenty years. The study determined that given the expected population growth, the current collection of 445,000 volumes will expand to 740,000 volumes. To accommodate the expected increase in collections and library services while meeting the "established" level for Illinois Public Libraries, approximately 87,000 square feet would need to be added to the system's total of 118,000-sq.ft.
DMA analyzed all existing facilities, prepared building program outlines, drafted preliminary project budgets, and generated conceptual designs for the Main Library. The design shown here imagines a metal and glass curtain wall structure that engulfs the existing three story building within the confines of the existing downtown site.
- Total Size 115,000 SF