Dover Public Library

The Dover Public Library has been serving the community since 1885. To address space and technology issues, the community decided to build a new public library. Located in Dover’s downtown historic district, the new Dover Public Library has been designed to be an “anchor” library for the Kent County Region and Central Delaware. The facility consists of nearly 48,000 square feet providing increased collection space, meeting spaces, training rooms for staff and the public, children’s department, teen zone, services center, cyber café, gallery, auditorium, outdoor performing area, and ample parking.

Kohler Ronan provided a full array of MEP/FP design services for the new facility. Our team utilized Revit® MEP to create the preliminary equipment layouts. Based on the architects’ 2-D layouts, we created a 3-D model of the spaces for each major piece of equipment and ensured that spaces were adequately sized. Kohler Ronan delivered a comprehensive schematic drawing package to the architect that included space requirements, sections, and isometric views.

Sustainable design solutions were also included in the project. Features include an underfloor air delivery system, geothermal heating and cooling, ice storage, daylighting controls, solar PV panels, and low flow plumbing fixtures. Each of these items generates significant long-term savings for the project owner..

Photo credit: © Matt Wargo; Rendering Courtesy of Holzman Boss Bottino Architects