The Miller Hull Partnership

Designed by The Miller Hull Partnership with local firm Steele Associates, in collaboration with Deschutes Public Library, the new Redmond Library is a two-story, mass timber building that more than doubles the size of the previous facility and reimagines it as a vibrant, flexible, and inclusive civic space.

Set back from the street, the building creates a generous civic plaza and covered porch that functions as an outdoor living room. This welcoming space invites public gatherings and allows library programming—story time, maker fairs, and live music—to extend outdoors. A drive-through book drop and staff window further expand access, enabling visitors to pickup and return materials without leaving their vehicles, an important feature during Central Oregon’s winter months.

The architecture balances Redmond’s historical character with a modern civic identity. A brick volume on the north references the city’s historic downtown and nearby City Hall, while a contrasting glass and metal-clad structure to the south brings in natural light, mountain views, and a strong civic presence on Deschutes Avenue. A broad, unifying roof defines the building, extending outward to form the civic porch while supporting a photovoltaic array sized to meet 100% of the building’s annual energy demand.

Inside, an exposed mass timber structure brings warmth and clarity. Columns, beams, and ceilings remain visible through the use of acoustic dowel-laminated timber, meeting theacoustical needs of a library while expressing the building’s structure. A central stair anchors the building as a social core, with a suspended sculpture by Pacific Northwest artistJohn Grade drawing from the forms of regional sagebrush and volcanic landscapes.

Designed as a true civic living room, the library supports learning, creativity, and connection across generations. Open, reconfigurable spaces accommodate a wide range of uses,from quiet reading to co-working and creative production. A vibrant children’s discovery area and dedicated teen spaces expand the traditional role of the library, creating immersiveenvironments that encourage exploration and engagement across age groups.