Northwest Public Library

Oklahoma City, OK | Richard + Kennedy Architects

The Patience S. Latting Northwest Library combines the imagery of the Oklahoma prairie, its prominent oil derricks, with the technology and purpose of a modern library.

A large horizontal roof plane, constructed of steel wide flange beams and bar joists, framing is supported by a series of derrick like monitors, creating an iconic roofline set against the surrounding suburban neighborhood. The adjacent native grasslands roll up under the roof creating an elliptical knoll that embraces the library program within. As one moves, closer to the building a slice in the earthen form leads to the trellised main building entry.