Multnomah County Library Operations Center by Hennebery Eddy Architects

In east Portland, where wide roads and vehicle infrastructure dominate the urban fabric, a former grocery store has been transformed into the operational heart of one of the most progressive library systems in the United States. Designed by Hennebery Eddy Architects, the Multnomah County Library Operations Center demonstrates how adaptive reuse, sustainability, and workplace well-being can converge into a resilient civic infrastructure. More than an administrative facility, the project redefines the invisible systems behind public services, making the logistics of knowledge distribution spatially dignified, environmentally responsible, and socially meaningful.

The 73,000-square-foot building supports the functioning of the entire countywide library network, coordinating the movement of more than 500,000 catalog materials while housing outreach services and staff operations. By reimagining a vacant big-box structure rather than constructing anew, the project positions architecture as an instrument of ecological stewardship and civic care.

Adaptive Reuse as Civic Strategy

The project begins with a simple but powerful architectural decision: reuse what already exists. The original 1995 grocery store provided a large, open structure ideally suited to the logistics-heavy program of materials handling, storage, and distribution. Instead of demolishing the building, the design team embraced its spatial potential, transforming it into a highly efficient operations center while dramatically reducing environmental impact.

This strategy resulted in a 66% reduction in embodied carbon compared to new construction. Materials from demolition were carefully diverted into seven waste streams, achieving a 90% diversion rate. Salvaged glulam beams were repurposed to form the lobby stair and seating elements, embedding the history of the building into its new identity. Exterior metal panels, produced locally and containing up to 80% recycled content, wrap the building with a renewed civic presence.

Through this approach, adaptive reuse becomes more than a sustainable tactic; it becomes a statement about responsible growth and long-term urban resilience.

Designing the Invisible Infrastructure of Knowledge

While public library branches often receive architectural attention, operations centers typically remain anonymous. This project challenges that convention by treating logistics as a spatial narrative worthy of architectural clarity. Inside, the building organizes office spaces, meeting rooms, and workstations along the perimeter to maximize daylight and views, reinforcing the connection between staff and the surrounding environment.

At the core, automated materials handling systems efficiently process and distribute books throughout the county, reducing manual labor and freeing staff to focus on community-facing work. Skylights bring daylight deep into the central collections zone, ensuring that even the most technical areas maintain visual comfort and orientation.

The presence of Rose City Reads — a public storefront selling donated and used books — further blurs the boundary between operational back-of-house functions and civic engagement. The building thus becomes not only a logistical hub, but also a public interface that reinforces the library’s mission of accessibility and equity.

Architecture for Well-Being and Belonging

Employee health and comfort are central to the architectural concept. The 130 staff members who work within the facility benefit from an environment shaped by natural materials, daylight, and biophilic elements. Wood wall panels and screens introduce warmth and texture, countering the institutional character often associated with large operational buildings.

A second-floor terrace offers direct access to fresh air and outdoor space, providing moments of relief and reflection throughout the workday. Interior common areas are animated by large-scale murals created in collaboration with community artists through the Portland Street Art Alliance. These artworks do more than decorate; they embed cultural expression into the building’s identity and reinforce a sense of collective ownership.

Private wellness rooms support a range of personal needs, including lactation and moments of retreat, signaling a broader understanding of inclusivity within workplace design. The architecture acknowledges that caring for the people behind public services is inseparable from caring for the services themselves.

Fossil Fuel-Free Performance and Net-Zero Ambition

Environmental performance is deeply integrated into the building’s design. The Operations Center is the first project to meet Multnomah County’s fossil fuel-free building resolution and is targeting both LEED Gold and Living Future Net-Zero Energy certifications. Its most visible sustainability feature is the array of more than 600 photovoltaic panels installed across rooftops and façades.

These panels serve a dual purpose: they generate an estimated 353,000 kWh of electricity annually — enough to fully offset the building’s energy use — while also acting as shading devices for windows and outdoor spaces. Deep-set windows with ceramic frit glazing further regulate solar gain, maintaining comfortable interior conditions while preserving generous daylight.

A high-performance envelope and advanced mechanical systems, including heat recovery ventilators, reduce operational energy demand. Enhanced air filtration systems protect occupants from pollutants and seasonal wildfire smoke, a critical concern in the Pacific Northwest. Together, these strategies contribute to a projected 75% reduction in total carbon emissions over a 30-year period.

Resilience Through Design

Beyond environmental performance, the building incorporates structural strategies for increased seismic resilience, ensuring continuity of operations during potential emergencies. As the logistical backbone of the library system, the facility must remain functional under stress. Architecture, in this context, becomes a form of preparedness — a framework that supports long-term community stability.

The project’s consolidation of collections from multiple locations into a single efficient hub also reduces the need for future expansion across the library network, indirectly limiting the environmental footprint of the entire system. This systems-level thinking reflects a broader architectural intelligence: the building is not designed in isolation, but as part of a larger civic ecosystem.

Conclusion

The Multnomah County Library Operations Center demonstrates that even the most utilitarian building types can embody architectural quality, environmental responsibility, and social care. Through adaptive reuse, fossil fuel-free systems, and a deeply human-centered workplace, Hennebery Eddy Architects transform a former grocery store into a resilient civic engine. It stands as a quiet but powerful reminder that behind every public institution lies an infrastructure worthy of architectural attention — and that thoughtful design can elevate even the unseen processes that sustain public life.

Photography: Kevin Scott