BiblioTech
In a bold departure from the traditional library model, Muñoz & Company designed and developed the first all-digital bookless public library in the world – BiblioTech – and there’s a growing clamor for more locations and wider access to e-books and e-learning. BiblioTech is located within an existing strip center, the neighbor to a probation office; along a busy commercial corridor in the heart of one of the poorest Hispanic neighborhoods – or “barrios” – of San Antonio. Muñoz & Company developed the plans and designed a new cost effective, state-of-the-art reading, learning and community place: The BiblioTech, to serve the under-represented communities of Bexar County.
“Thanks to Muñoz & Company, BiblioTech’s design is both highly functional and inspirational. Their design has helped to shape the culture and character that have come to define our library; edgy, smart and playful. We couldn’t have asked for a better image to tell the story of our unique library.” – Laura G. Cole, Director
BiblioTech – derived from the Spanish word for library, both playful and sophisticated – is Bexar County’s newest learning center and interactive community space; a place that moves beyond published works. The design team worked across multiple design platforms including cultural identity and branding, to create a social experience that can evolve the accessibility of library services in poor communities in the 21st Century.
Through the BiblioTech’s e-readers, residents of Bexar County are now able to access more than 26,000 current titles as well as thousands of classics, digital audio books, databases, digital newspapers, periodicals and graphic novels. E-readers feature accommodations for the visually impaired and are available for check-out to take home or read on the premises. Residents may also use their own e-readers or tablets to access the BiblioTech’s collection.
Location:
San Antonio, Texas
CONSTRUCTION COST:
$1.2 Million
SIZE: 6,760 SF
CONTRACT DELIVERY METHOD:
Job Order Contract.
SCOPE:
Interior Finish-Out
COMPLETION DATE:
September, 2013
FIRM’S RESPONSIBILITY:
Prime Architect.
SERVICES:
Full service architectural and interior design services.
PROJECT MANAGER:
Rob Reiter, AIA
PROJECT ARCHITECT:
Rob Reiter, AIA
PROJECT DESIGNER:
Geof Edwards, AIA, LEED AP
CONSULTANTS:
MEP: CNG Engineering, PLLC
Structural: RSCR
Telecomm: Datacom Design Group, LLC.
CONTRACTOR:
County of Bexar, Texas
LENGTH OF RELATIONSHIP WITH OWNER:
Since 1971