We are thrilled to share that El Gabilan Library in Salinas, CA, has received three awards bestowed by regional business, AEC industry and economic development organizations:
“Working with library clients over the decades brings the architectural and interior designers of ABA a kind of fulfillment and joy that is unparalleled,” said ABA Co-Founder and President, Pamela Anderson-Brulé, FAIA. “We understand the challenges faced by librarians and the many intricacies involved in delivering services to your unique community is such a way that the library serves as a safe haven and an integral community asset. So, we take pride in listening to our library clients and delivering a plan that is uniquely designed to suit the needs of the library’s functional space and constituents’ needs.”
After an extensive community outreach and collaborative design that transformed the library to better suit the needs of this growing diverse community, El Gabilan Library (you can read more about this exciting process and design project here) was unveiled to the community in February 2020. We were able to plan a library that is nearly four times the size of the existing library, and twice that of the original project intent. Also, it was delivered with a unique P3 – Public Private Partnership - financing strategy. The new 20,800-sf facility includes children, teen, and adult flexible seating and collections, along with a collaborative makerspace, digital studio, study rooms, internet café, and a flexible community room. Welcoming outdoor spaces feature reading patios, a lounging deck and an interactive-learning children’s garden. The replacement of the library, which was built in the 1960’s, will remain a safe, accessible and inclusive community place for all ages – featuring a clean and classic exterior and a playful and colorful interior, which was custom designed to exemplify the heritage of Salinas.
“To be honored with three distinctly reputable awards for our architectural design work on the El Gabilan Library reaffirms our passion for this type of extraordinary design challenge, said Jason Hull, AIA,Project Architect and lead project designer. “It was truly a magical process, to listen to the will and needs of the community during the needs assessment phase and deliver a finished design that is serving the community to the fullest today and will continue to deliver for many years to come.”
