Donelson Library

The new Donelson branch of the Metro Nashville Public Library system is envisioned as the community centerpiece for this older neighborhood of Nashville. Positioned within Donelson Plaza, a 1960s-era shopping center that has long been an icon of the neighborhood, the library is part of a larger effort to reenergize this unique piece of Nashville’s history. Having outgrown their current facility, the Nashville Public Library commissioned the design-build partnership of HASTINGS and Messer to create a new home to expand their collection and programming for this evolving Nashville neighborhood.

Inspired by the mid-century character of the surrounding area, the architecture draws from "atomic age" motifs and graphic design to define simple yet playful geometries. The restrained material palette of brick, glass, and breezeblock allows these design elements to tell a story of composition and collage. Panels of white brick angle back and forth down the side facades, emulating the argyle patterning commonly used in atomic-age graphic design, while the breezeblock, a midcentury staple, acts as passive shading for the exposed southern facade.

Responding to the strong, axial connection to Lebanon Pike and the site's solar conditions, the plane of the southern facade “breaks” to create a protected entry beneath the flying roofline above. This new front porch celebrates the traditions of southern oral storytelling as a place for people to gather and share tales beneath a “haint blue” soffit – a trademark of porch ceilings throughout the southeast. On the roof above, a 33.3 kW photovoltaic array provides passive power to the building through a grid-optimized strategy suited to Nashville’s climate, ensuring efficiency year-round.

The interior floor plan follows the established site axis, with service and staff areas to the west and open library space to the east. While the east and west facades employ strategic window placement for daylighting and views, the northern face takes advantage of naturally diffused sunlight with a fully glazed double-height reading space.

An open stair leads to the second floor, home to the children’s and young adult collections. This floor features a small reading deck, protected from the elements by the breezeblock screen, with views out to the double-height reading area below. The natural slope of the site allows for this space to be elevated over the landscaping, creating a treehouse feel for the youngest visitors.

Due to the change in grade from one end of the site to the other, primary parking is accommodated below the first floor, allowing for a nearly half-acre front lawn featuring shaded reading areas, space for library programming, and artwork commissioned through Metro Arts Nashville. Beneath the surface, the lawn boasts thirty geothermal wells plunging 500 feet deep, using the temperature of the earth to naturally heat and cool the building year-round.

A testament to the community’s past and future, the Donelson Library tells a story of innovation and heritage. This critical piece of civic infrastructure is poised to be a vibrant hub for learning, gathering, and storytelling, enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike.

A testament to the community’s past and future, the Donelson Library tells a story of innovation and heritage. This critical piece of civic infrastructure is poised to be a vibrant hub for learning, gathering, and storytelling, enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike.