Lake Flato Architects has completed a distinctive public library in Cedar Park, Texas, that deliberately evokes the welcoming atmosphere of a traditional porch through its innovative design and material choices. The 47,000-square-foot Cedar Park Public Library, completed in 2024, features mass-timber elements and a dedicated children's space, serving as the inaugural building in the new 50-acre Bell District development.

The two-story library sits on two tree-filled acres and represents a public-private partnership between the City of Cedar Park and RedLeaf Properties. The facility, along with adjacent Bell Park, welcomes up to 5,000 visitors daily and serves as a placemaking catalyst for future residential and hospitality projects planned for the district.

"The use of wood, daylight and the arrangement of spaces in the library are meant to evoke the feeling of being on a porch," explained David Lake, founder and partner of Lake Flato Architects. "Like a porch on a home, the library is a welcoming place for gathering, sharing and connecting both indoors and out." The design emphasizes this porch concept through a prominent cantilever over the main entrance, highlighting the building's hospitable character.

The exterior combines locally sourced materials including Texas limestone, metal panels, extensive glazing, and a sculptural mass timber roof system. These materials were specifically selected to withstand the regional climate while reflecting the natural textures and colors of the surrounding landscape. The building's design carefully accommodates existing mature trees on the site while maximizing natural daylight and views.

At the heart of the library lies a dramatic double-height lobby featuring an acoustic wall constructed from wood reclaimed directly from the construction site. "Filled with natural light and framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, the space encourages movement, gathering, and connection, and embodies the library's role as 'the community's porch'," said Lake Flato associate Ashley Grzywa. This central atrium serves as both a social area and circulation hub for the entire facility.

The building's program spreads into two distinct wings from the central lobby, with each wing strategically positioned to work with the site's natural features. The active northwestern wing houses museum-quality children's interactive learning exhibits, complete with plush reading nooks and an integrated play structure. The southwestern wing contains maker spaces, classrooms, and multipurpose rooms that support the library's diverse programming needs.

The upper floor provides quiet zones dedicated to reading, computer work, and administrative offices, while the surrounding site features multiple shaded courtyards designed for outdoor community programming. The library incorporates both passive and active sustainable strategies throughout its design. "Deep roof overhangs and screened porches provide shade and promote natural ventilation of outdoor spaces," Grzywa noted.

Environmental considerations extend to material selection as well. "The use of mass timber and locally sourced limestone reduces embodied carbon and supports longevity," Lake explained. Additional sustainable features include a high-performance building envelope, sensor-controlled lighting systems, and airside energy recovery systems that collectively reduce the building's operational energy consumption.

"Natural, healthy materials were prioritized throughout, paired with thoughtful furnishings and art to create an inclusive, enduring environment that reflects the community's identity," Lake emphasized. The project represents the latest work from Lake Flato, a firm originally founded in San Antonio with an office in Austin, whose projects span various scales throughout Texas.

The studio's other recent projects include the expansion of San Antonio International Airport in collaboration with Corgan and schemes for a new waterfront development in Fort Worth. The porch theme echoes broader trends in contemporary American architecture, as similar concepts were featured in the US pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale. Photography for the project was provided by Robert Gomez.