COAR Design Group teamed with Design partner domusstudio architecture, build partner TB Penick, and an outstanding team of consultants to deliver the Imperial Beach Library for the County of San Diego and the City of Imperial Beach. Our esteemed consultant team included Delawie, Latitude 33, Parterre, Orie2 Engineering, McParlane & Associates, Elen Consulting, and Drew George & Partners.

The 14,830sf facility has a decidedly casual and inviting vibe and incorporates unique spaces for teens and adults alike, with a large activity area focused on the children in the community. The building components are comprised of a series of spaces, reminiscent of casual beach cottages, clad in a combination of bright, colorful wood-look tiles and integral colored stucco. A large community room and Poet’s Patio allow for views and break-out space to the adjacent Veteran’s Park.

The interiors invoke the feeling of entering the beach at the shore and transitioning through the space deeper into the ocean. The great volume of space underneath the acoustically treated wave roof encourages people to come in to learn and explore.

The facility was designed as a Zero Net Energy building, meaning that the energy it consumes annually is offset by the energy produced by the roof-mounted photovoltaic system. It is also certified by the USGBC at the LEED Gold level.

“The Imperial Beach Library is a perfect blend of innovative design that creates a beautiful and important community gathering space and enhances the desire of library patrons to use the space in a mindful way. The building, with its focus on energy efficiency and an open design has set a new standard for our community as we move forward with the redevelopment of our city in a way that eliminates barriers to inequality and brings all of our community together. ” – Mayor Serge Dedina, Ph.D, – City of Imperial Beach