Felton Branch Library

Noll & Tam worked with Santa Cruz Public Libraries and Teall Messer Architect on a new library for the community of Felton, a small town in the Santa Cruz mountains. If a fairytale library existed, it might look a lot like the Felton Branch. The modern space is refined, yet offers the whimsical touches of a storybook setting—in the children’s area, it’s easy to image sprites perched on the red toadstool chairs and bear cubs nestled inside the small willow huts. A flock of glass butterflies flutters above kids at play on carpet designed to look like the pebbles of a creek bed. The rustic-industrial design harkens to Felton’s history as a logging community and the wood ceilings and bookstacks are inspired in part by the town’s covered bridge. Touches of steel in the windows and tables are a reminder of the steam trains that once rolled through town. The wall-mounted and suspended hand-blown glass butterfly art installation designed by local artist Lea de Wit brings a playfulness and whimsy to this bright new branch.