The main branch of the Edmonton Public Library, the Stanley A. Milner Library receives over 1.2 million visits each year. Located downtown across from Edmonton’s beloved Churchill square, the expanded and renovated library will be a multipurpose community hub, encompassing expanded reading and public spaces, a Makerspace, a high-tech theatre, a daycare, and more.
As a place that welcomes people of all ages, fostering a sense of community was fundamental to the architectural design. The design encouraged the development of spaces that would be open and transparent.
The north elevation of the Milner library is characterized by a sweeping façade extending far beyond the outline of the original rectangular building. To accomplish this feat, a series of three structural steel trusses were engineered. The four-storey high west truss cantilevers from the original concrete structure to support two trusses that are over 200 feet in length. These trusses were critical in shaping the façade and sheltering the existing theatre from new loading.
The renovated Stanley A. Milner Library will re-open to the public in February 2020 and once again serve as the heart of the community.