SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — The Spokane County Library District (SCLD) and Integrus Architecture received an American Institute of Architects (AIA) Washington Council Civic Design Merit Award for the design of the new Spokane Valley Library.
The award program seeks to promote, advocate and celebrate design of publicly funded projects in Washington State.
“The design reflects a strong sense of community,” said Patrick Roewe, the library district's executive director. “The design encourages inclusivity, providing accessible spaces for all ages and stages of life. The result is a library that invites people to learn, explore, and succeed.”
The award represents high standards of innovation, sustainability, performance and integration with the surrounding community.
Roewe was presented with the award at the 2024 AIA Civic Design Awards on September 19 in Seattle.
SCLD says entries to the award program are judged on quality and merit by a jury panel. The jury considers functional utility, environmental harmony, accessibility, aesthetics, craftsmanship and innovation. SCLD says the award highlights how projects like the library can benefit an entire community.
“This is a very innovative project deserving recognition for using modest materials and the design does a lot with them,” commented the jury. “The result is something truly remarkable, special, and successful.”
SCLD conducted several workshops while designing the new building and identified the need for spaces that encourage connection, collaboration and creation.
The Spokane Valley Library is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
