## Lake Flato Texas Library: A Sprawling Embrace of Domestic Porch
The Lake Flato Texas Library, a testament to architectural ingenuity and a vibrant community hub, stands as a beacon of domestic porches and a welcoming space for connection. This project, a collaboration between Lake Flato Architects and the City of Cedar Park, offers a unique opportunity to evoke the comforting feeling of a porch, incorporating the principles of mass-timber elements and a designated space for children.
The library’s design is a harmonious blend of natural materials and modern aesthetics. Constructed from Texas limestone, metal panels, and glazing, the building’s aesthetic speaks to the beauty of the landscape. The interior is a haven for relaxation and gathering, with a double-height lobby that provides ample space for both adults and children to enjoy the tranquility of the library.
The library’s exterior is a testament to the project’s commitment to sustainability. Utilizing reclaimed materials, including Texas limestone, metal panels, and glazing, the building’s design minimizes its environmental impact and promotes a healthy, eco-friendly environment. The library’s carefully planned layout is designed to maximize daylighting and create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
The library’s central focal point is a double-height lobby, featuring an acoustic wall made from reclaimed wood. This wall, meticulously crafted with wood reclaimed from the site, adds a touch of rustic charm and provides ample shade and natural ventilation. The use of mass timber and locally sourced limestone reduces embodied carbon and supports the longevity of the building.
The library’s interior is a diverse and engaging space, featuring a museum-quality children’s interactive learning exhibits with plush reading nooks and a play structure. The building’s surrounding site is carefully landscaped with shade courtyards, community programming, and a wide expanse of shaded pathways.
The library’s upper floor is a quiet oasis, perfect for reading, working on the computer, and offices. The surrounding site is generously fenced with shade courtyards, providing a comfortable and accessible space for community programming.
The library’s natural, healthy materials were prioritized throughout the project, paired with thoughtful furnishings and art to create an inclusive and enduring environment that reflects the community’s identity. The library incorporates a range of passive and active sustainable strategies, ensuring the building’s operational energy.
The Lake Flato Texas Library is more than just a building; it is a symbol of community spirit and a place where people can connect, learn, and grow. Its enduring theme of domestic porches has inspired countless architects and developers to embrace the beauty of the outdoors and create spaces that are both functional and welcoming. The project’s success is a testament to the power of architectural design to foster community and create a welcoming environment for all.
Texas studio Lake Flato Architects has created a library with a porch-like scheme, featuring mass-timber elements and a designated space for children, outside of Austin, Texas, USA.
Completed in 2024, the 47,000-square-foot (4,365-square-metre) Cedar Park Public Library sits on two tree-filled acres and was the first building constructed in the new 50-acre Bell District, which is a public-private partnership between the City of Cedar Park and RedLeaf Properties.
The free, public library and adjacent Bell Park welcome up to 5,000 visitors per day and serve as a placemaking catalyst for the still-to-come residential and hospitality projects, according to the project team.
Lake Flato Architects sought to evoke domestic porches through design and material as a way to emphasise the building as a hospitable one.
”The use of wood, daylight and the arrangement of spaces in the library are meant to evoke the feeling of being on a porch,” said David Lake, founder and partner of Lake Flato Architects.
“Like a porch on a home, the library is a welcoming place for gathering, sharing and connecting both indoors and out.”
The exterior of the two-story library is crafted from materials – including Texas limestone, metal panels, glazing and a sculptural, mass timber roof – selected to withstand the climate while reflecting the texture and colouring of the site.
The library centres around a double-height lobby that features an acoustic wall made from wood reclaimed from the site.
”Filled with natural light and framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, the space encourages movement, gathering, and connection, and embodies the library’s role as ‘the community’s porch’,” said Lake Flato associate Ashley Grzywa.
From the threshold lobby, the program spreads out into two wings, placed to accommodate mature trees, capture prevailing breezes and maximize daylight and views of the surrounding landscape.
The active northwestern wing of the library includes museum-quality children’s interactive learning exhibits with plush reading nooks and a play structure. Meanwhile, the southwestern holds maker spaces, classrooms and multipurpose spaces to cater to other library resources.
The upper floor has quiet zones for reading, working on the computer and offices, while the surrounding site is scattered with shading courtyards for community programming.
“Natural, healthy materials were prioritized throughout, paired with thoughtful furnishings and art to create an inclusive, enduring environment that reflects the community’s identity,” Lake said.
The library incorporates a range of passive and active sustainable strategies.
“Deep roof overhangs and screened porches provide shade and promote natural ventilation of outdoor spaces,” Grzywa said. “The use of mass timber and locally sourced limestone reduces embodied carbon and supports longevity.”
Meanwhile, a high-performance envelope, sensor-controlled lighting and airside energy recovery systems reduce the building’s operational energy.
Originally founded in San Antonio with an office in Austin, Lake Flato’s works span scales and the state of Texas. The studio’s other recent projects include the expansion of San Antonio International Airport with Corgan and schemes for a new waterfront development in Fort Worth.
Porches have been an enduring theme in recent US architecture, as they were the theme for the US pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale.
The photography is by Robert Gomez.
**Project credits:**
**AV/IT Security:** DataCom Design Group\
**Civil:** Dunaway\
**Landscape:** Coleman & Associates\
**Lighting:** Studio Lumina\
**MEP:** Jose I. Guerra, Inc.\
**Programming:** 720 Design\
**Structural:** Datum Engineers\
**Wayfinding:** fd2s\
**Acoustics:** EEA Consulting Engineers\
**Envelope consulting & commissioning:** Acton Partners\
**General contractor:** J.E. Dunn Construction Group\
**MEP commissioning:** NV5
Texas studio Lake Flato Architects has created a library with a porch-like scheme, featuring mass-timber elements and a designated space for children, outside of Austin, Texas, USA.
Completed in 2024, the 47,000-square-foot (4,365-square-metre) Cedar Park Public Library sits on two tree-filled acres and was the first building constructed in the new 50-acre Bell District, which is a public-private partnership between the City of Cedar Park and RedLeaf Properties.
The free, public library and adjacent Bell Park welcome up to 5,000 visitors per day and serve as a placemaking catalyst for the still-to-come residential and hospitality projects, according to the project team.
Lake Flato Architects sought to evoke domestic porches through design and material as a way to emphasise the building as a hospitable one.
“The use of wood, daylight and the arrangement of spaces in the library are meant to evoke the feeling of being on a porch,” said David Lake, founder and partner of Lake Flato Architects.
“Like a porch on a home, the library is a welcoming place for gathering, sharing and connecting both indoors and out.”
The exterior of the two-story library is crafted from materials – including Texas limestone, metal panels, glazing and a sculptural, mass timber roof – selected to withstand the climate while reflecting the texture and colouring of the site.
The library centres around a double-height lobby that features an acoustic wall made from wood reclaimed from the site.
“Filled with natural light and framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, the space encourages movement, gathering, and connection, and embodies the library’s role as ‘the community’s porch’,” said Lake Flato associate Ashley Grzywa.
From the threshold lobby, the program spreads out into two wings, placed to accommodate mature trees, capture prevailing breezes and maximize daylight and views of the surrounding landscape.
The active northwestern wing of the library includes museum-quality children’s interactive learning exhibits with plush reading nooks and a play structure. Meanwhile, the southwestern holds maker spaces, classrooms and multipurpose spaces to cater to other library resources.
The upper floor has quiet zones for reading, working on the computer and offices, while the surrounding site is scattered with shading courtyards for community programming.
“Natural, healthy materials were prioritized throughout, paired with thoughtful furnishings and art to create an inclusive, enduring environment that reflects the community’s identity,” Lake said.
The library incorporates a range of passive and active sustainable strategies.
“Deep roof overhangs and screened porches provide shade and promote natural ventilation of outdoor spaces,” Grzywa said. “The use of mass timber and locally sourced limestone reduces embodied carbon and supports longevity.”
Meanwhile, a high-performance envelope, sensor-controlled lighting and airside energy recovery systems reduce the building’s operational energy.
Originally founded in San Antonio with an office in Austin, Lake Flato’s works span scales and the state of Texas. The studio’s other recent projects include the expansion of San Antonio International Airport with Corgan and schemes for a new waterfront development in Fort Worth.
Porches have been an enduring theme in recent US architecture, as they were the theme for the US pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale.
The photography is by Robert Gomez.
Project credits:
AV/IT Security: DataCom Design Group
Civil: Dunaway
Landscape: Coleman & Associates
Lighting: Studio Lumina
MEP: Jose I. Guerra, Inc.
Programming: 720 Design
Structural: Datum Engineers
Wayfinding: fd2s
Acoustics: EEA Consulting Engineers
Envelope consulting & commissioning: Acton Partners
General contractor: J.E. Dunn Construction Group
MEP commissioning: NV5
