Library Site

Getting a full impression of the building’s central atrium requires a lot of angles.

I can’t get enough of the windows and scale-like cladding of the walls for the library’s children’s section. It’s nice when public buildings actually let architects and designers have fun.

The exterior of the building facing Cesar Chavez appears to be relatively isolated from the adjacent road noise due to its recessed design.

Golden arches certainly pop against all that blue.

I kind of like the throwback look here in the young adult books section.

Here’s what the mesquite floor will look like once it’s stained.

Seriously can’t get enough of the lights in this place.

Even the more mundane design details of the building are notable — these walls in the building’s administrative office section are completely modular, allowing staff to rearrange the office’s rooms as their future needs dictate.

It’s fairly awe-inspiring and not far from something by M.C. Escher — or Harry Potter, if that’s your thing.

A better look at the children’s book section. If I were six years old again, they would have to drag me out of this room kicking and screaming.

The building also includes a state of the art concert and event space. It’s extremely well-insulated and SXSW needs to start booking bands there yesterday.

There's no shortage of public art outside, but I think I'm actually partial to the electrical substation behind the fence.

One of the floors that will soon be occupied by bookshelves. I can’t get enough of the light fixtures.

The library includes several work spaces that can be reserved for personal use. They’re stuffing a lot of technology into these walls — you can see where the digital access panels are going to go.

One of the floors that will soon be occupied by bookshelves. I can’t get enough of the light fixtures.

Gallum says the tiles, which are made of Texas mesquite, are intended to give the building a sense of belonging to the natural environment.

Austrian artist Christian Moeller designed this piece of public art for the library’s atrium. It’s called CAW and apparently represents a grackle. Moeller says he fell in love with Austin’s most common bird due to its resemblance to the black crows of his homeland. He must get a kick out of H-E-B parking lots.

Adjacent to the building’s east courtyard is a bike lockup with some cleverly-designed racks.

Along with its Cookbook cafe, the library features a cooking demonstration space with amphitheater-style seating. Gillum says it may very well be the first of its kind.

The courtyard on the east side of the building is shaping up to be one of Austin’s best new public outdoor spaces.

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48 East Ave #1007
Austin, TX

Photo of 48 East Ave #1007, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8700780)

$399,000

Lot Size

40 sqft
Home Size

463 sqft
Beds

1 Bed
Baths

1 Bath

1005 E Riverside DR
Austin, TX

Photo of 1005 E Riverside DR, Austin, TX 78704 (MLS # 6150738)

$1,297,880

Lot Size

8,277 sqft
Home Size

1,556 sqft
Beds

3 Beds
Baths

3 Baths