Chicago Public Library, West Loop Branch

Donated to the City of Chicago by Sterling Bay, the West Loop Library is the first-ever Chicago Public Library branch in the community and the 81st for the city. The two-story adaptive reuse project preserves the industrial character of two buildings that were formerly part of the Harpo Studios campus, while creating a new cultural and social center for the neighborhood. The library features various programmatic areas, including all-ages reading spaces, community meeting rooms, and a YOUmedia teen digital learning space with a recording studio. In addition, a “Tinkering Lab” provides a digital space for children, who are also served by several early learning spaces. These include existing alcoves transformed into storytelling rooms, featuring interactive play elements and walls with magnetic and writeable surfaces for enhanced learning.