David Adjaye's firm David Adjaye Associates has been granted planning permission for the new reddish cultural complex in Florida, which will house a new library and events center located on the northwest corner of a reinvigorated Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Approved by the Winter Park City Commission earlier this month, the $30 million project consolidates and replaces the existing library and civic center buildings on a site which is very close to the Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

Named Winter Park Library and Events Center, the project is designed as a "micro-village" consisting of three pavilions and each of them is designed in different scale and function but all of them will share a common formal language.

The studio uses structural arches, inspired both by local fauna and the region’s vernacular architecture, form vaulted rooflines and sweeping windows, establishing a porous relationship between interior and exterior and drawing natural light deep into the buildings. 

The pavilions respectively house the new library, event center and a new welcome pavilion and rest on a raised belvedere that provides privileged, dramatic views onto the lake, increases connectivity to the park and supports exterior community spaces that run between the three buildings.

"Our goal is to create a vibrant community village that engages the beauty of the park, maximizes social interactive spaces and holds collaborative learning and education at its core," said Adjaye. 

"I am thrilled that Winter Park has embraced our vision, which is truly about celebrating of the city’s heritage and preparing for its future," he added.

The project, encompassing a total of 4,830-square-metre area, will feature diverse programs including flexible floorplates that support collection spaces accessible to all ages and abilities, interactive youth and children areas, an indoor auditorium, makerspaces and technology portals, a business center, continuing education spaces, Winter Park historical and archival collection spaces, community meeting rooms and private reading rooms.

"We tasked the design team with creating an inspirational complex to provide a multitude of uses," said Winter Park Mayor Steve Leary. 

"It has to provide a 21st century learning environment while also incorporating an entertainment venue for the community. We wanted a unique and forward-looking aesthetic that still felt true to our heritage and it had to be “of the park," rather than simply a structure within the park. Sir David and his team delivered on our request and exceeded our expectations."

"The library is thrilled with the design as an inviting place for 21st century learning, collaboration and community," said Dan McIntosh, President, Board of Trustees, Winter Park Library Association. 

"The design reflects the experiences we’ve hoped and planned for with input from Winter Park residents and one of the most prestigious think tanks in the world, The Aspen Institute. Sir David Adjaye’s design fuels the imagination, incorporates the park and elements unique to Central Florida, and will provide 360° access to learning for generations to come."

Construction is due to begin in fall 2018 and conclude in the first half of 2020.

Adjaye Associates was announced as the design architect in April of this year. The firm is collaborating with a world-class team on the new community asset, including architect of record HuntonBrady, owner’s representative Pizzuti Solutions and construction management team Brasfield & Gorrie and Lamm & Company.

All images © David Adjaye Associates 

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