KY community eagerly awaits a new multigenerational library resplendent with color and light  

A cascade of colorful stripes and sunlight streaming down through skylights will undoubtedly draw visitors in when they visit the Marksbury Family Branch in Lexington, KY. The two-story branch is slated for 2024 completion and is the result of an in-depth master planning process led by Group 4. During the master planning outreach, community members expressed a strong need for a new library in west Lexington to replace a cramped, leased space. The new 30,000 SF library will triple the amount of space for expanded collections, programs and services, including a maker space, an ESL and homework lab, study rooms, a large community room, and more. 

Together with Lexington-based EOP Architects, Group 4 designed the library to reflect the community’s desire for a cozy, open, artsy, and vibrant space. A dramatic overhang creates a community porch with stepped seating outside that leads seamlessly into an indoor paseo. Here visitors are welcomed with a kaleidoscope of bold colors, warm wood accents, and skylights. The paseo is a two-story volume that runs through the center of the building, connecting and displaying all of the activity along its sides. The open plan is well-suited for families to mingle in shared spaces or retreat to specially designed areas for different age groups. Large windows strengthen the feeling of openness and highlight connections to the outdoors.