Texas studio Lake Flato Architects has created a library with a porch-like scheme, featuring mass-timber elements and a designated space for children, outside of Austin, Texas, USA.

Completed in 2024, the 47,000-square-foot (4,365-square-metre) Cedar Park Public Library sits on two tree-filled acres and was the first building constructed in the new 50-acre Bell District, which is a public-private partnership between the City of Cedar Park and RedLeaf Properties.

Lake Flato Architects has designed a library with elements evoking a porch outside of Austin

The free, public library and adjacent Bell Park welcome up to 5,000 visitors per day and serve as a placemaking catalyst for the still-to-come residential and hospitality projects, according to the project team.

Lake Flato Architects sought to evoke domestic porches through design and material as a way to emphasise the building as a hospitable one.

A cantilever over the entryway highlights the porch theme

"The use of wood, daylight and the arrangement of spaces in the library are meant to evoke the feeling of being on a porch," said David Lake, founder and partner of Lake Flato Architects.

"Like a porch on a home, the library is a welcoming place for gathering, sharing and connecting both indoors and out."

Local stone was used on parts of the facade

The exterior of the two-story library is crafted from materials – including Texas limestone, metal panels, glazing and a sculptural, mass timber roof – selected to withstand the climate while reflecting the texture and colouring of the site.

The library centres around a double-height lobby that features an acoustic wall made from wood reclaimed from the site.

It has a central atrium space and social area

"Filled with natural light and framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, the space encourages movement, gathering, and connection, and embodies the library's role as 'the community's porch'," said Lake Flato associate Ashley Grzywa.

From the threshold lobby, the program spreads out into two wings, placed to accommodate mature trees, capture prevailing breezes and maximize daylight and views of the surrounding landscape.

Mass-timber elements were used for the structure

The active northwestern wing of the library includes museum-quality children's interactive learning exhibits with plush reading nooks and a play structure. Meanwhile, the southwestern holds maker spaces, classrooms and multipurpose spaces to cater to other library resources.

The upper floor has quiet zones for reading, working on the computer and offices, while the surrounding site is scattered with shading courtyards for community programming.

"Natural, healthy materials were prioritized throughout, paired with thoughtful furnishings and art to create an inclusive, enduring environment that reflects the community's identity," Lake said.

The library incorporates a range of passive and active sustainable strategies.

"Deep roof overhangs and screened porches provide shade and promote natural ventilation of outdoor spaces," Grzywa said. "The use of mass timber and locally sourced limestone reduces embodied carbon and supports longevity."

It has a designated space for children

Meanwhile, a high-performance envelope, sensor-controlled lighting and airside energy recovery systems reduce the building's operational energy.

Originally founded in San Antonio with an office in Austin, Lake Flato's works span scales and the state of Texas. The studio's other recent projects include the expansion of San Antonio International Airport with Corgan and schemes for a new waterfront development in Fort Worth.

Porches have been an enduring theme in recent US architecture, as they were the theme for the US pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale.

The photography is by Robert Gomez.

Project credits:

AV/IT Security: DataCom Design Group⁠ Civil: Dunaway Landscape: Coleman & Associates Lighting: Studio Lumina MEP: Jose I. Guerra, Inc.⁠ Programming: 720 Design Structural: Datum Engineers Wayfinding: fd2s ⁠Acoustics: EEA Consulting Engineers Envelope consulting & commissioning: Acton Partners ⁠General contractor: J.E. Dunn Construction Group ⁠MEP commissioning: NV5⁠