The new Half Moon Bay Library is one of 6 library projects to be honored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and American Library Association (ALA) with an AIA/ALA Library Building Award. The annual award honors the best in library architecture and design. We are honored to be included in this list, as library designs we see around us continue to reach new heights of ingenuity and creativity.

The challenge for this project was to build a large, beautiful, future-focused library that anticipates the needs of a diverse population without overwhelming the laid-back beach town of Half Moon Bay, California. Achieving these goals required a design process that engaged all parts of the community and created a sense of shared commitment. The result of this process is a building that looks like nothing around it, yet still fits the surrounding area. The library’s design has created a new, beloved, civic landmark for Half Moon Bay, establishes the town as a sustainability leader, and provides a valuable public resource.