{"id":213688,"date":"2026-03-02T11:17:32","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T16:17:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/?p=213688"},"modified":"2026-03-03T11:23:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T16:23:00","slug":"librarys-beating-heart-to-get-a-fresh-chapter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/librarys-beating-heart-to-get-a-fresh-chapter\/","title":{"rendered":"Library\u2019s \u2018beating heart\u2019 to get a fresh chapter"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
This adaptive reuse project transformed a vacant 1995 grocery store into a bustling 6,782-m2 (73,000-sf) workplace. Images courtesy Kevin Scott<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In Portland, Ore., described as the \u201cbeating heart\u201d of the Multnomah County Library system, the new Operations Center keeps more than 500,000 catalogue items in motion while powering outreach services that connect the library to its community.<\/p>\n

Designed by Hennebery Eddy Architects, this adaptive reuse project transformed a vacant 1995 grocery store into a bustling 6,782-m2<\/sup> (73,000-sf) workplace.<\/p>\n

Interior spaces prioritize the well-being, health, and safety of the 130 employees through daylighting, the use of natural materials, a second-floor terrace, and common spaces energized by large-scale biophilic murals.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Adaptive reuse of the 4,831-m2 (52,000-sf) grocery store reduced calculated embodied carbon by 66 percent.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Finish materials feature wood wall panels and screens that provide warmth and texture. Enhanced air filtration mitigates pollutants and seasonal wildfire smoke, and structural systems are designed for increased seismic resilience.<\/p>\n

Adaptive reuse of the 4,831-m2<\/sup> (52,000-sf) grocery store reduced calculated embodied carbon by 66 percent compared to baseline\/new construction.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Aerial view.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The design prominently features more than 600 solar panels that will fully offset the building\u2019s energy use.<\/p>\n

The operations center is the first project to meet Multnomah County\u2019s ambitious\u00a0resolution to achieve fossil-fuel-free buildings,\u00a0and it anticipates LEED Gold certification and Living Future Net-Zero Energy certification.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Portland, Ore., described as the \u201cbeating heart\u201d of the Multnomah County Library system, the new Operations Center keeps more than 500,000 catalogue items in motion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34186,"featured_media":213689,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1029],"tags":[9433,9634,2958,2177,3312,3081],"class_list":["post-213688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-hennebery-eddy-architects","tag-leed-gold","tag-library","tag-net-zero","tag-oregon","tag-portland","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nLibrary\u2019s \u2018beating heart\u2019 to get a fresh chapter - The Construction Specifier<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In Portland, Ore., described as the \u201cbeating heart\u201d of the Multnomah County Library system, the new Operations Center keeps more than 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