The Woodland Community Library in Washington is a transformative step forward for the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District and the community it serves.

For this project, the design team was tasked with exploring the location and creating a beautiful, practical, and inclusive library that would meet the evolving needs of Woodland’s residents.

The design integrates the natural beauty of the 0.97-ha (2.42-acre) site. The library is situated near a public park and a lake. Outdoor gathering areas and learning gardens support environmental education, community events, and informal interaction, reinforcing the library’s role as a civic common.

Indoor spaces were designed with adaptability and inclusiveness in mind. The layout supports a wide range of uses and age groups, from early literacy programs and teen study zones to adult reading areas and multipurpose meeting rooms. Open, light-filled interiors with movable furnishings enable the library to adapt to the community’s evolving needs. The original 1,115-m² (12,000-sf) concept was refined to a more efficient 702-m² (7,560-sf) footprint, striking a balance between functionality and fiscal responsibility.