Cloverdale Library

Strategic enhancements to the Cloverdale Library boost its functional capacity while creating attractive, inviting spaces that integrate with the broader network of local public infrastructure.

The 12,000 square-foot renovation of the Cloverdale Library complements the extension to the adjacent Museum of Surrey and the redevelopment of the Veterans’ Square cultural campus. This project was initiated in response to the growing demand for community gathering spaces in a high-traffic public building and addressed the need for a new service delivery model.

Ph5 led pre-design staff and stakeholder consultations, including a space planning workshop, resulting in a new layout that improves workflows for users and staff. The design enhances the functionality, appearance, and comfort of the main floor library entry, expands the children’s area, and introduces a new teen study area on the second floor.

Custom millwork for the new integrated circulation and library services desk, public computer stations, and main hall highlights their importance in library programming. Furniture was selected to create welcoming community gathering spaces. The design also improves accessibility by following guidelines and considering the needs of seniors who frequent the Family History Department.

Exterior renovations include a new vestibule to make the main entrance more visible and welcoming from the street. New glazing on the east façade establishes a connection to the cultural campus and provides natural light and a view of Veterans Square from a new interior lounge space.

During the preliminary design and costing phase, key assumptions changed, leading to adjustments in the scope of work to meet newly recognized priorities. A structural assessment revealed that the second floor’s existing structure limited the number of bookshelves and equipment it could safely support. Ph5 prepared options to include the second-floor structural upgrade while staying within the original budget and meeting the client’s objectives.