The Columbus Metropolitan Library’s new Gahanna branch represents a step forward for a community nurturing new development at its civic core, envisioning its growth, and bringing an urban mentality to a new generation of customers. It aims at manifesting all of the positive things that library design can bring to enrich our communities – learning, socialization, respite, nature, and self-fulfillment. Two key drivers to the site development strategy are the preservation of site natural features and creating a sense of place. The existing mature trees and the Rocky Fork Creek running through the site make this site spectacularly beautiful, but also challenging for development. The vision of “lightly treading” on the land, backed by skillful site grading and a robust tree preservation strategy helped inform the building siting strategy. The reading garden and outdoor cafe invite library patrons to take in the outdoors and connect to nature. The site, its existing mature trees, and the creek running through it have a vital role in maintaining the health of the regional watershed and the ecological system. The landscape architecture team is focused on preserving this delicate natural balance while meeting development and site functionality goals.