Project
Highlights
When Missoula County brought on DAC to lead construction for their new public library, there was more in mind than a big room for books. The building is striking and unique, four stories of exposed, post tensioned concrete, steel, and plenty of large glass windows to capitalize on the natural light. A large, central staircase serves as the centerpiece of the building, supported with tube steel stringers and no intermediates, to give the impression of floating. The fourth floor houses a community center and meeting rooms for up to 270 people, while the third is an adult floor, sporting a demonstration kitchen as well as the usual books and periodicals. The second is the kids floor, and the first houses a cafe, maker space, and computer lab. Originally conceived as a steel structure, DAC pivoted smoothly to concrete when budget complications threatened a loss of the fourth floor.
