Ypsilanti District Library Whittaker Road Branch

Daniels and Zermack Architects (formerly Penchansky Whisler Architects) was commissioned to provide complete architectural and interior design services to provide a new café coffee shop in the existing 60,000 sf Whittaker Road Library. Following the exploration of several alternatives for locating the new coffee shop, it was determined that the preferred location was the current Friends Bookshop located off of the entry lobby and meeting room beyond. This decision necessitated relocating the Friends into new space before the café project could proceed. A concept was developed that doubled the amount of shelving for the bookstore and provided them with greater visibility by locating the new shop adjacent to the existing circulation desk and patron queuing area. To accomplish this relocation, office space for Washtenaw Literacy and circ staff were reconfigured, as well as enhancements to the current circ desk and the addition of providing patron self-service access to reserves. Daniels and Zermack Architects also specified new furniture and fixtures for the café and office reconfigurations. New café seating will be included in the existing Lobby, café proper, as well as, new outdoor café seating accessible via a new exterior door directly from the café to the existing covered entry area.

Mr. Whisler also served as the Project Manager / Project Architect for the design and implementation of the original 60,000 square foot two story new library while a Senior Associate at David Milling & Associates / Architects (DMA). DMA provided professional architectural and interior design services for the original building.