Much has changed in the 100+ years since the City of Irving was founded, IN FACT the Heritage District in Irving continues to preserve the City’s rich history as does the new South Irving Library. The new South Irving Library comprised of 52,570 SF is the third of four new facilities the City has master planned to complete there library system needs. Hidell and Associates Architects part of the masterplan process and architect of the 2nd library facility (the first “net zero” building for the City) identified a shift from a main/branch delivery system to a regional library system. This prompted the design team to develop a series of multiple concept schemes for the arrangement of the new library. The City initially envisioned a contemporary design solution but recalled the unique features of the Heritage District: Heritage Park, Centennial Park, Founder’s Plaza and the Veterans Memorial Park all which highlighted the significance of the location for the library in the District. The resulting design consisting of two floors, a partial basement and an exterior façade that blended the materials of Texas limestone and an intelligent glazing system has complemented the style of the Heritage Crossing District.

Today the South Irving Library boasts the Library system with state-of-the-art offerings that draws people to the area…a far cry from Irving’s first library, set up in the corner of a furniture store in 1941. The design team successfully met the challenge as set forth by the City to create a new library that was 35% smaller than the central library and was able to house the entire collection over 300,000(+) items while providing more dedicated and flexible spaces and programs, more seating, more computers, and more study areas.