Annapolis Library

The Anne Arundel Department of Public Works selected WGM as prime consultant with Annapolis Landscape Architects (ALA) serving as project landscape architect and Bay Engineering providing the civil engineering. ALA provided the landscape architectural site design for amenity elements such as the entry plaza, which includes blue glass aggregate paving representing water and reflecting the nautical theme of the building. Waves of pavers with reflective blue exposed glass set in unit paver patterns flow through the plaza and vehicular turnaround. A brick donor tribute pathway extends from the front door of the building to the parking lot.

A children’s reading circle in the form of monolithic twisted precast shapes provides outdoor learning opportunities.

The surrounding community and the City of Annapolis regulated and requested a native plant palette for the project. The resulting landscape is dominated by native shade trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plantings suitable for the numerous bioretention areas. A Mid-Atlantic woodland planting approach combining the preserved trees and introduced native plantings serves to increase biodiversity in Annapolis. Additionally, dispersed bioretention areas manage storm water and provide birds and other pollinators with food and cover.

Tree preservation was a guiding force in the site layout as the grove of majestic Sycamore trees was retained to create a sylvan park-like character and anchor the public street frontage. The library and all site work were completed in 2020.