With 90% of its structural design exposed, the Downtown branch of the Salt Lake City Library is a visually exciting place. It has become a local tourist attraction and community gathering place.

The triangular-shaped structure includes a six-story steel moment/braced frame crescent wall that leads to the rooftop garden. Reading galleries occupy four levels above the main-level urban gathering and retail spaces; the galleries are connected by bridges to the main library. The children’s library is on the lowest level and opens into an amphitheater and children’s garden. Other features include a 300-seat auditorium, administration wing, and meeting rooms.

The dual six-story ductile concrete frame/concrete shear wall library is supported above a 661-stall, two-story parking structure. The parking structure roof also supports an expansive plaza and recessed amphitheater popular for local festivals and cultural activities. A 60-foot high by 220-foot wide glass “lens wall” forms the southeast enclosure of the building.

Designed by Moshe Safdie, the library has been recognized with many awards including AIA’s Honor Award for Outstanding Architecture and Design Award for Best Public/Institutional Building.