Portola Middle School Library/Media Center

The design concept for the library/media center focuses on the integration of outdoor and indoor spaces. The high elevation of the site allows the siting of the library to take advantage of the views of the San Francisco Bay on the west. A perforated metal sun screen is designed for solar shading of the west-facing windows, which integrates outdoor space into the interior. Structural elements are left exposed to create a feeling of openness. The open feel also allows for ease of supervision. In addition the library building has been located in the center of the campus encouraging it to be used as a gathering space throughout the school day.



The interior of the library/media center was designed to be an integrated research center. Instead of creating the typical, separate, computer lab within the library space, computers are spread throughout the library. This concept fosters the full immersion of media, literature and other resources in a full immersion concept to support curriculum objectives. Small study areas have also been formed through furniture placement. Mobile shelving allows for maximum flexibility within the space to enable reconfiguration. In addition, dropping the soffit on one wall developed a small learning space within the larger library area.