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The City of Cambridge has purchased the historic 1885 Galt Post Office. The revitalized facility will operate as a satellite branch of the main public library in a unique public-private partnership with a restaurant whereby both parties share the space and seating. The balance of the Library will accommodate a young adults room in the basement, a family library on the second floor, and a digital lab on the third floor with access to an outdoor terrace.

The design of the Library considers the larger context of patron experience; how they use the facility; when they use it; for what purpose; what the meaning of that experience is for them; and how that experience can respect a diversity of backgrounds and cultures.

The Library is not strictly a “library”, but more broadly conceived of as a learning and cultural space. Social environments help encourage the sharing of knowledge in and through communities of learners. Social functions which might otherwise appear non-library like (e.g. cafe, areas of socializing) will contribute to the development of a Library ecology that supports sustained learning.

Our scope of services included the Feasibility Study including the documentation of the existing structure, identification of all structural and restoration issues, and collaborating with library staff/designated restaurateur to undertake a schematic design to meet both program needs.

Having worked with Cambridge Libraries and Galleries in the past to develop the Hespeler Library, this design concept takes a completely different approach. While the concept at Hespeler completely conceals the existing heritage building, Galt takes a lighter approach by wrapping the Post Office in a bow-tie, alluding to the building’s formal and stately presence within the community and historically.

Project Stats

• Location: Cambridge, ON
• Completion: 2014 (Feasibility Study)
• Client: Cambridge Libraries and Galleries
• Size: 14,000 sq. ft.