The winner of a national design competition and two design awards from the American Institute of Architects, Matheson Public Library creates a dignified civic image and meaningful sense of place for its suburban site in Matteson, Illinois. A series of hierarchically organized volumes forms a restrained monumentality. The library enfronts a civic court that accommodates community activities and reinforces the library's importance as a civic symbol.

Cordogan, Clark & Associates was selected by the design architects, Spangler, Semler, Schlenker of Philadelphia, and by the Matteson Public Library Board of Directors, to work with them through Schematic Design and Design Development Phases, and to provide full construction documents, specifications, and contract administration services, including services for interior design and furnishings. Our firm also provided full structural engineering services for this challenging design.

Internally, a central lobby separates library functions and the staff work area. This arrangement affords the staff visual control and immediate access to various service areas. Flexible arrangements of these programmed functions are possible, and all internal spaces are provided with natural lighting through a variety of sources. The public meeting room in the library can accessed from the library proper; or may be secured to permit independent access. Special care was taken with the structural construction, waterproofing, and mechanical considerations for the below-grade public room and storage areas.