Award of Merit Cultural

Photo courtesy of Fort Vancouver Regional Library District

Howard S. Wright served as general contractor on the project.

The new $38-million Vancouver Community Library is an 83,000-sq-ft concrete structure with a multistory glass atrium, roof gardens, back-up diesel generator and uninterruptible power supply system, a rooftop mechanical room and extensive under-floor plenums. According to the general contractor, Howard S. Wright, Portland, Ore., the construction team faced challenges within the design at every turn for this technologically advanced and sustainable structure with specialty finishes and raised flooring. Structural concrete is revealed throughout the building in walls and pillars, with warming expanses of wood in walls, ceilings and furnishings and rich accent colors.

Key Players

Owner: Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, Vancouver, Wash.

GC: Howard S. Wright, Portland, Ore.

Construction Management: Day CPM Services, Portland, Ore.

Architect: The Miller Hull Partnership, Seattle

Civil Engineer: Hopper Dennis Jellison, Vancouver, Wash.

Structural Engineer: Kramer Gehlen Associates, Vancouver, Wash.

MEP Engineer: Interface Engineering, Portland, Ore.

Submitted by:

Howard S. Wright