Since 1917 the St. Johns Library, a historic Carnegie library and cultural cornerstone in North Portland, has been one of the most well-used branches in the Multnomah County Library system. This project renovated the existing 4,220sf building while adding nearly 3,000sf along its east side to ensure St. Johns Library remains a vibrant, inclusive hub for lifelong learning and community connection long into the future.

To reinvigorate the library’s original spirit as a hearth for people, the design opened up the central spine to create a sense of togetherness and provide generous, flexible spaces to meet the needs of staff and patrons. Abundant daylighting, an expanded children’s library, informal seating zones, and a flexible after-hours community room make St. Johns Library a welcoming place for the community. Thoughtful, sustainable interventions preserve the historic character of the original structure while the exposed timber structure and wood decking offer the new addition biophilic beauty and warmth. Complementing its original charm and neighborhood context in scale and materials, the reimagined St. Johns Library is a place of renewed civic pride.

Central to the design is the concept of serving five generations of patrons, balancing quiet, traditional reading spaces with interactive, technology-forward zones. At the heart of the library, a new central “living room” fosters community connection, creating a welcoming shared space for all.