The city is excited about the building of its new 21st century, state-of-the-art library & events center. The final project design and $42 million budget was approved by the City Commission January 2020. Construction began March 2020 and is expected to be completed fall 2021.
The project was designed by world-renowned architect Sir David Adjaye of Adjaye Associates in conjunction with HuntonBrady Architects. It is being constructed by Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors, all under the oversight of the city’s owner’s representative/project manager Pizutti Companies. The project is funded in part by Orange County Government and the Tourism Industry through the Tourist Development Tax funding.
Once complete, the city will have a world-class library & events center to accompany its established and popular world-class parks, arts & cultural facilities, and shopping & dining districts.
Library
The new Winter Park Library will offer the following new features:
- Commons area to read & socialize.
- Education & performance space for speakers’ series, live performances, films & story times.
- Collaborative & flexible working rooms with technologies needed for productive group work.
- Business center for entrepreneurs & creatives.
- Purposeful social spaces near age-appropriate book collections.
- Computer lab with newest software & hands-on instruction.
- Private study rooms.
- Automated collection system improving materials handling.
It will also offer expanded improvements:
- Upgraded Genius Lab loaded with 3D printers, a studio with video/audio production & staff.
- More borrowing items including technology, fishing poles, binoculars, instruments & more.
- Expanded history & archive areas with an improved Memory Lab space for research and archive conservation area with climate-controlled space for storing valued materials & classroom space for learning.
- Thirty percent larger Story Room adjacent to a flex-size multi-purpose room that will double class capacity.
- Thirty percent more collection capacity for library materials.
Events Center
The new Winter Park Events Center will feature:
- Grand Ballroom for large celebrations, meetings & events [up to 250 seated at tables or 320 seated theater-style]
- Rooftop Meeting Room to accommodate smaller events or meetings [up to 50 guests]
- Rooftop Terrace with a beautiful view of Martin Luther King, Jr. Park for socials & gatherings [up to 150 guests]
- Outdoor Amphitheater & Lakeside Landing for events and performances
- Tiered outdoor seating for event viewing or simply relaxing with a good book
- Covered Porte Cochère for easy & convenient pick up/drop off of guests
- Specially decorated & designed dressing rooms for weddings and special occasions
Archive Information
- Library & Events Center Task Force
- Winter Park Canopy Update (March 27, 2019)
- Budget Overview – presented to City Commission (February 11, 2019)
- Winter Park Canopy Highlights (October 17, 2018)
- Information Sheet (September 26, 2018)
- Conditional Use Approval – City Commission agenda item (approved September 24, 2018)
- Schematic Design & Renderings (April 9, 2018)
- Branding Presentation to the City Commission (April 9, 2018)
- Branding Presentation to the City Commission (March 26, 2018)
- Sir David Adjaye’s Conceptual Design Presentation (November 1, 2017)
Media Coverage
- Winter Park hosts peek at library progress (March 7, 2021)
- The World Around Summit highlights the Winter Park Library & Events Center (WPLEC) as the one project featured by Sir David Adjaye – WPLEC segment begins at 14:15 (January 30, 2021)
- David Adjaye, Ryue Nishizawa and Sumayya Vally to present at The World Around’s virtual summit – Dezeen.com (January 22, 2021)
- New library/event center in Winter Park tops out – Bungalower (November 1, 2020)
- New Winter Park library and events center reaches construction milestone – Orlando Sentinel (October 30, 2020)
- Winter Park Awaits Completion of $42 Million Library and Events Center – The Trinity Voice (October 28, 2020)
- Sir David Adjaye has won the 2021 RIBA Royal Gold Medal – ArchitecturalDigest.com (September 30, 2020)
- The 20 most anticipated projects of 2020 – ArchDaily.com (December 23, 2019)
- Winter Park rejects hitting ‘pause button’ on $40.5M library and events center – Orlando Sentinel (May 13, 2019)
- Winter Park seeks $6 million in tourist tax money for library, events center project – Orlando Sentinel (March 28, 2019)
- City of Winter Park releases Canopy updates – Bungalower (March 27, 2019)
- Winter Park resolves $100K grant issue with state over library, events center project – Orlando Sentinel (March 26, 2019)
- Adjaye Associates Unveils Proposal for Winter Park Library and Event Center in Florida – Arch2o.com (November 16, 2017)
- Adjaye Associates Reveals Design of Winter Park Library and Events Center in Florida – ArchiECHO.com (November 16, 2017)
- Adjaye Associates Reveals Design of Winter Park Library and Events Center in Florida – Archdaily.com (November 15, 2017)
- Winter Park City Commission approves conceptual design for new library/event center – Winter Park/Maitland Observer (November 14, 2017)
- Adjaye unveils £23m Florida library vision – Architects Journal UK (November 14, 2017)
- David Adjaye unveils approved design for new public library and events center in Florida – Designboom.com (November 14, 2017)
- David Adjaye reveals ‘sweeping’ Winter Park Library design – The Architect’s Newspaper (November 2, 2017)
- Plans unveiled for Winter Park’s new library – Bungalower (November 2, 2017)
- Conceptual designs unveiled for new Winter Park library/civic center – West Orange Times & Windermere Observer (November 1, 2017)
- Conceptual design of Winter Park library released – Fox 35 Orlando (November 1, 2017)
- Renowned architect unveils ‘world class’ design for Winter Park library – Orlando Sentinel (November 1, 2017)
- Audio interview with Sir David Adjaye conducted by Winter Park/Maitland Observer (June 20, 2017)
- Adjaye wins Florida library commission – Building Design (May 5, 2017)
- Adjaye Associates to design new library in suburb of Orlando, Florida – The Architect’s Newspaper (May 2, 2017)
- Acclaimed architect chosen to design new Winter Park library and civic center – Orlando Rising (April 28, 2017)
Featured Videos
Winter Park Events Center Preview
Winter Park Library & Events Center Topping Out Ceremony
A Virtual Master Class with Sir David Adjaye
Sir David Adjaye on the Library & Events Center
Library & Events Center Conceptual Design Presentation
Conceptual Design of New Library & Events Center
Partners
Lead Designer
Winter Park’s vision for this project truly embraces the continued evolution of the library in the 21st century. With a diverse program that recognizes it as a critical piece of cultural infrastructure, this will be a dynamic space for shared education, recreation and interaction. I am thrilled to be working with the city on a design that I hope can become a true beacon for its neighborhood, with resonance for the entire community. – David Adjaye, Founder & Principal
Company Profile
Adjaye Associates was established in June 2000 by Founder and Principal, Sir David Adjaye OBE. Receiving ever-increasing worldwide attention, the firm has offices in Accra, London and New York and completed work in Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The studio’s burgeoning global portfolio includes works at multiple scales, from large scale architectural projects; master planning and landscaping, to interiors; exhibitions; furniture and product design. Adjaye’s largest commission to date, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, opened in 2016 on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
In addition to the National Museum of African American History & Culture, selected completed works include: Ruby City, a new art center in San Antonio, Texas; The Webster in Los Angeles, a new flagship retail space for the luxury multi-brand retailer; The Ghana Pavilion at the 58th Venice Art Biennale; the Sugar Hill Mixed-Use Development in Harlem, New York; two neighborhood libraries in Washington, D.C; the Knoll Washington Furniture Collection; the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver, Colorado; the Alara Concept Store in Lagos, Nigeria; the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo, Norway; and the Idea Stores—two community libraries in London.
Ongoing projects include a new home for The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York; 130 William, a high-rise residential tower in New York’s financial district; the new Sydney Plaza, a public plaza, community building and artwork in Sydney’s Central Business District; The Abrahamic Family House, an interfaith complex in Abu Dhabi; the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in London; the International Finance Corporation, an office building in Dakar; and the National Cathedral of Ghana in Accra.
The firm has received widespread recognition for its contributions to architecture. Most recently, Adjaye was announced the winner of the 2021 RIBA Royal Gold Medal. Personally approved by Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal Gold Medal is considered one of the highest honors in British architecture for one’s significant contribution to the field internationally.
Principal Architect
The HuntonBrady/Adjaye Associates architects’ team is thrilled and ready to collaborate with the City of Winter Park and The Pizzuti Companies on the library & events center project. We are committed to make the design of this very significant new addition to our community a success. – Maurizio J. Maso, AIA, Vice President
Company Profile
Established in Orlando, Florida in 1947, HuntonBrady Architects is built on the integrity, values, and drive of founder Robert Murphy. A Harvard graduate from Charleston, South Carolina, Robert believed that successful design should stem from a clear understanding of function, space, performance, and expectation. Its success, portfolio, and reputation can be attributed to his ‘thought design’ culture that is still evident throughout the firm nearly 70 years later.
The people that make up HuntonBrady are among the most talented and passionate professionals in the industry. Their diverse experience and wealth of insight adds an invaluable element to every project and directly contributes to its influence as a ‘thought design’ firm. Today, HuntonBrady buildings are part of the landscape of Florida. Its projects are planned with rigor and logic, while also integrating thoughtful and responsive design that conveys life and purpose. To work with HuntonBrady is to experience innovation in architecture, to witness a passion for design, and to become a partner for success. Of everything HuntonBrady has ever built, its most treasured creation is excellence.
General Contractor
We are excited to work with a world-class team to bring the dream of the Winter Park Library & Events Center to reality. We enjoy being a local business partner within the City of Winter Park, and we look forward to building a showpiece for the city as well as gaining a new neighbor. – Jim Ellspermann, Regional Vice President
Company Profile
Founded in 1964, Brasfield & Gorrie is one of the nation’s largest privately held construction firms, providing general contracting, design-build, and construction management services for a wide variety of markets. We’re skilled in construction best practices, including virtual design and construction, integrated project delivery, and Lean construction, but we’re best known for our preconstruction and self-perform expertise and exceptional client service.
Brasfield & Gorrie has 12 offices and approximately 3,000 employees. Our 2019 revenues were $3.8 billion. Engineering News-Record ranks Brasfield & Gorrie 22nd among the nation’s “Top 400 Contractors” for 2020.
City’s Owner’s Representative, Project Manager
The new Winter Park library & events center will be a true community asset. We look forward to delivering an outstanding facility that will meet the needs of Winter Park residents for many years to come. – Joel S. Pizzuti, President
Company Profile
The Pizzuti Companies is a recognized leader in the development, marketing and management of real estate. With operations in Orlando, Columbus and Chicago, Pizzuti has developed more than 50 million square feet of Class A office, medical and healthcare, retail, residential and institutional-quality industrial facilities throughout the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States. Pizzuti also has considerable experience working with local governments in the development of creative public-private partnerships. Pizzuti Solutions LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, boasts a staff with decades of combined public-sector work experiences. Pizzuti Solutions has provided Owner’s Representative and program management services for a wide range of project types, including public libraries, cultural facilities, municipal complexes, and courts and correctional facilities.
Winter Park Public Library
This is the true beginning to our next chapter. With the team’s incredible talents at work, we are confident that the new library and events center will be one of Winter Park’s premier locations for education, business support and community collaboration. – Sabrina Bernat, Executive Director
Company Profile
The Winter Park Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing the highest quality library materials, programs and services to those living in Winter Park and the surrounding communities. Founded in 1885 with a few dozen titles stored on the front porch of an early resident, the Library has evolved based on residents’ changing needs for information, education and entertainment. It now provides books, newspapers, magazines, audiobooks, music, videos, video games and software, as well as downloadable materials for use on smart devices and computers. In addition, it offers hundreds of programs each year for patrons of all ages.
Tourist Development Tax Funding
The project is funded in part by Orange County Government and the Tourism Industry through the Tourist Development Tax funding.