Gentry Public Library, Arkansas, 2007

A public library housed within two existing brick structures, formerly the local hardware store. Also included within the project are a new exhibit structure for an antique fire truck, an urban pocket park, and new urban plaza. In an effort to elevate the significance of the existing buildings, they are conceived as an artifact of the city museum. Steel and glass volumes encase existing openings, brick ornament, interior columns and selected walls at the ground and second floors. These volumes act as display cases oriented from the interior towards the city, presenting the artifacts to the public.