San Juan Capistrano : New Regional Library Wins Architects’ Award

The San Juan Capistrano Regional Library, a $1.8-million Spanish Colonial structure designed by renowned architect Michael Graves, has won an Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects for distinguished accomplishment in architecture. The library was one of 12 buildings chosen for the award from the 608 projects considered. The awards will be presented June 12 at the institute’s convention in San Francisco.

The judges, composed of seven architects from across the country, explained why they chose the library for an honor:

“The San Juan Capistrano Library, through its scale, indigenous materials and spatial invention, is a masterful transformation of the Spanish mission vernacular into a modern composition that makes a visit to the library a delightful experience.

“The plan of the building is original and brilliant, with the organization of spaces and functions around the courtyard offering natural control of light and climate while creating a spirit of a small town. The many crisscrossing, top-lit axial vistas are like streets or paths, adding to the sense of village. The design’s idiosyncrasies are enriching and appropriate, and contribute to a playful charm perfectly suited to a place where imagination is stored.”

The library attracts an unusually large number of visitors, book and building buffs alike. Last year, more than 1,900 people toured the one-story building, not counting the patrons who took advantage of its extensive collection of California and Orange County historical works.