Varina Area Library
Varina Area Library
The Varina Area Library sits on 22.11 acres in Henrico County, on New Market Road (State Route 5), and the adjacent Virginia Capital Trail, just east of the Pocahontas Parkway. Completed in 2016, the two-story 44,000 square foot library is eight times the size of its predecessor on the same site and has the capacity to expand. Despite this increase in building size, the project preserves over 80% of the site as open green space and invites the public to enjoy it. The new facility abounds with gathering and recreational spaces, creating a hub for the community and greatly expanding the County’s offerings to Varina residents. The design team collaborated to seamlessly connect the building and its site. Locally quarried sandstone and the bio-based façade bring natural elements into the building. Library spaces enjoy sweeping views of the preserved landscapes. The connection is not just visual, as many library spaces continue outdoors, further blurring the distinction between inside and outside.
As the landscape architects, we engaged early in the planning process to study the history and ecology of the site, helping to locate the new facility on a brow overlooking the floodplain of Cornelius Creek. Our master planning efforts delicately protected natural grades, wetlands, significant shade trees, and plant communities. We aimed to honor the site’s rural heritage and share the enjoyment of broad acreage with the public, while also creating learning opportunities within the landscape.
Programmatic needs align with the stewardship of the environment:
The solar orientation of the building reduces its need for artificial lighting, while outdoor lighting fixtures were chosen to reduce light pollution.
Mature trees shade outdoor reading rooms. An existing hill makes for a terraced amphitheater.
Native plants frame outdoor rooms.
Intentional meadows of warm-season grasses and wildflowers.
Stormwater treatment areas intercept and clean runoff from the property before it enters the James River tributaries. These stormwater areas double as amenity spaces, with footbridges gently passing over the biofilter and stormwater gardens.
A looping Eco-trail allows the public to access the floodplain.
The paved parking area was minimized by creating a dual-functioning meadow & overflow parking lot.
Ample bike parking & a drinking fountain promote the use of the Virginia Capital Trail, a bike trail connecting Richmond to Jamestown that runs adjacent to the site.
Henrico County’s Varina Area Library is certified LEED Silver and is recognized by the American Institute of Architects and the American Library Association for excellence in library design. Such excellence extends, as intended, from within the library walls to the broader landscape of Varina. By virtue of the expansive site, local ecology, and rural history, the Varina Area Library proves the powerful connection between education and outdoor environments. The library offers public access to natural, functional landscapes and community gathering spaces that are didactic, sustainable, and reinforcing of Henrico County’s commitment to education and environmental stewardship.
CLIENT/PROJECT TEAM:
Henrico County
BCWH Architects
LOCATION:
Henrico County, VA
PHOTOGRAPHY:
BCWH
CHIBI MOKU
