Opened in 1957, the Arroyo Seco Branch Library served the Altadena community until it closed in 1978, leaving a gap in community services. Thanks to the efforts of resident Robert “Bob” Lucas, a champion for literacy, the branch reopened in 1991.Bob strongly advocated on behalf the community, particularly young people and people unable to travel to the Main Library Sadly, Bob did not live to see the realization of his vision, but the building was renamed in his honor of his efforts to promote reading and education as the means of achieving personal freedom and achievement. (Read more about Bob here.)
Brought in as part of an overall effort to renovate Altadena Library District’s buildings, ABA Studios designed the renovation and expansion of the Bob Lucas Memorial Branch Library & Literacy Center. Adding 1,000 sf to the existing 2,000 sf, the project went beyond the simple modernization of an outdated building to achieve a transformative impact both inside and out. With a design vocabulary inspired by nature, specifically trees, the revitalized library offers patrons a striking street presence with an iconic façade, inviting them inside where natural daylight enhances a welcoming environment with various aga-specific reading areas, meeting rooms, computer access, and courtyard.
After being closed for 16 months while it underwent its comprehensive renovation, the branch library reopened in August 2025. For a community still suffering from the aftermath of the devasting Eaton fire, which “burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed 9,500 structures, and left 20,000 people without homes,” the library’s return to public service was welcomed as a celebration of its role as, in the words of Local News Pasadena, a “Beacon of Resilience and Learning.” While we are proud of all of our projects, our ability to contribute to the Bob Lucas Memorial Library’s revitalization is especially meaningful given the support it offers to a community striving to recover, rebuild, and embrace hope for the future.
