One of the oldest buildings in the state, Carlyle, IL’s library was a cramped and outdated converted farmhouse that was becoming structurally unsound. In 2012, the community made the decision to invest in a new public library facility. After observing another local public institution experience quality control issues following a construction project, the library board committed to quality construction for their new building. Primary considerations included optimizing the new building for durability and energy efficiency.
The architect, Arcturis, designed a steel stud/masonry veneer structure insulated with spray foam for energy efficiency. The 11,000 sq. ft. structure includes space for community meetings and performances, children’s and teens’ areas, and an outdoor reading garden.
The building was designed to evoke the neoclassical architecture of historic buildings while tying into the context of Carlyle's existing architecture, according to architectural project manager Chrissy Hill Rogers. The design called for cast stone accents, including a cornice, banding and window ledges. After significant consideration and material sampling on the part of the design team, Heritage Cast Stone was selected as an elegant and cost effective exterior cladding solution to achieve the aesthetic goal. The material also fulfilled the library board’s desire for durability and ease of maintenance.
The project presented a few challenges to the construction crew that delayed completion by about 8 weeks. One was the limited space available on the site. Construction started on the new building before the existing one was torn down, which only left approximately 15 feet of space for the crew to work on one side of the building. Extra labor was required to install the large pieces of cast stone on this section because the fork lift could only access the scaffolding at one end; pieces then had to be walked down the scaffolding by hand.
Administrative issues postponed the beginning of construction from April to September. Then weather caused further delays. The spray foam insulation could not be installed below 55˚F, and by the time it was ready to install, the severe winter of 2013-14 was already well under way.
Despite these setbacks, the construction team, headed by Cory Pritchard of Poettker Construction of Breese, IL, achieved completion on the new library building by the end of July, 2014. The building has since become a social hub for the community, says Pritchard. “It’s busy. It gives people (in this small town) a place to go.”