Courtesy of Ascent Construction Inc.

The old library building was replaced by a new LEED-Gold-certified library and tech center.

2012 Award of Merit

Renovation/Restoration Category

Leonardo Art, Science and Technology Center  

Salt Lake City

Originally designed by Edwards & Daniels Architects, the Old Main Library building was completed in 1964 and was Salt Lake City's largest branch library for 39 years. The library was recently relocated to a new facility on the same downtown block.

Renovations at the old library building have upgraded the structure for The Leonardo, a science, technology and art center. The remodel of the three-story, 122,000 sq-ft structure included asbestos abatement and a complete seismic retrofit. The building's sustainable design includes a rooftop solar array that provides an ongoing source of renewable energy. The building is considered a historically significant example of mid-century modernism.

Key Players

Owner: Salt Lake City Corp., Salt Lake City

Architect: ajc architects, Salt Lake City

General Contractor: Ascent Construction, Centerville, Utah

Civil Engineer: Stantec Consulting, Salt Lake City

Structural Engineer: Reaveley Engineers & Assoc.

MEP: Colvin Engineering Associates, Salt Lake City

Electrical Engineer: Envision Engineering PC

Submitted by Ascent Construction Inc.