Adolph Sutro Special Collections
SFSU Campus
San Francisco, CA

Parnassus Campus Library Reference Area Remodel
University of California
San Francisco, CA

Bay Farm Island Branch
Alameda Library
3221 Mecartney Road
Alameda, California 94502
Contact: Jane Chisaki
510/747-7747

In March of 2011, four months after the opening of remodeled sister branch West End, the Bay Farm Island Branch opened. Page + Moris, on the architectural team of Noll & Tam, provided interior design services which included selection and specification of building interior finishes and furniture. The branch is located in a one-story wood frame building constructed in the early 1980's. The themes of water and nature are brought into the building interior. The carpet is playful and suggestive of topographic contours and aquatic bubbles. Similarly to West End, use of the limited space of 2,700 SF was focused on programs and amenities most-needed in the Community it serves.

West End Branch
Alameda Library
788 Santa Clara Avenue
Alameda, California 94501
Contact: Jane Chisaki
510/747-7747

Four years after the Alameda Main Library opened, Page + Moris, on the Architectural team of Noll & Tam, was once again selected to provide interior design services for renovation of the two branches, West End and Bay Farm Island. West End is set in a historic building in a residential neighborhood. The community has many families with young children and teens, as well as elderly adults. So given the limited floor space, emphasis was placed on services for those population sectors.

The original flooring, made of 9" square vinyl tiles, was replaced with a simplified geometric checkerboard in light and medium tones of cork that respects the historic aesthetic intent. A dark border implies area rug and provides a simple transition to adjacent spaces of irregular configuration. For color interest, a robin's egg blue was introduced in the central ceiling space and is up-lit by ceiling pendants. Much of the original furniture was refinished and reused. Light fixtures were designed to not only illuminate the reading tabletop, but provide access to power outlets as well.

Tulare Public Library and Council Chambers Building
475 North "M" Street
Tulare, CA 93274
Contact: Michael Stowell, Library Director
559/685-4500

In late summer of 2010, the City of Tulare celebrated the opening of its new Library and Council Chambers Building. The 31,400 SF building has created a new sense of pride in this farming community that is emerging as a growth center in California's San Joaquin Valley. The architect was Paul Halajian, Taylor Teter Partnership. The design of the building is inspired by the area's prominence in agricultural dairy production, with forms that recall dairy barns and silos. Page + Moris provided interior design that followed the architect's lead with selection of building colors that are exciting and finishes that are durable and "green". A gutsy-scaled line of custom furniture was designed and includes reader tables, computer tables, newspaper stand, and browsing display units. Tables for Children's and Teens' are cloverleaf shapes with resin/ash tops and accessible metal clad cylindrical bases.

With state-of-the art technology, Wi-Fi access, 30+ patron internet computers, Children's Room, Programming Area, Teen Area, meeting spaces, café, Local History & Genealogy Room, and space for expanded collections; the new facility is slated to become the cultural and civic heart of the community. LEED gold certification is pending.

Cupertino Teen Center
Cupertino Public Library
10800 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
Contact: Dolly Goyal
408/446-1677

On September 11, 2010, Cupertino Public Library celebrated the opening of its remodeled Teen Center, "The Third Place". Flexible seat counts almost doubled; provision was made for tabletop electrical outlets for laptop; and shelving capacity increased. The $180,000+ in community funding covered the costs of new carpeting, shelving, stack ends, and furniture.

The City has a large teen population (10%), who gave input and voted on design options prepared by Page + Moris. The selected scheme is vibrant and colorful, yet transitions smoothly from the rest of the Library. Table and lounge seating zones were created and computers placed in "bench" configuration. The open work surface benches are set at table height and stool height for collaborative interaction. Some of the chairs and tables have wheels for easy reconfiguration and mobility for this age group that's constantly on the move.

San Mateo New Police Headquarters Building
200 Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403
Contact: Susan Manheimer, Chief of Police
(650) 552-7600

After the San Mateo Library opened, the City asked Page + Moris to select and specify furniture for the offices of the new Police Headquarters building, designed by Leach Mounce Architects. Working with the City's Civic Development Group and the SMPD staff, Page + Moris proposed furniture layouts and product selections. Three major manufacturers produced mock-ups of specialized detective work stations. Police department representatives tested the mock-ups and a selection was made. Page + Moris was responsible for authoring the furniture specifications and coordinating locations for the power and data outlets for the movable furniture as well. The furniture was on time and on budget, and the building opened in June of 2009.

Saratoga Teen Center
Saratoga Public Library
13650 Saratoga Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070-5099
Contact: Lisa Pirlot
408/867-6126

The Saratoga Public Library Teen Center, which opened in 2009, has been a very popular destination for teens. New popular materials are prominently displayed on an angled entry wall with ample areas for posting and slat wall display. Window seating areas, furnished with banquette seating and individual tablet arm lounge seats, capitalize on the natural light and view to the grassy meadow beyond.

Both Saratoga and Los Altos Libraries are part of the Santa Clara County Library system, so many furniture items that have been successful at Los Altos Teens were selected in warm and vibrant colors that complement their Saratoga context. Flexibility to easily reconfigure furniture in the central space is paramount, while separate areas are allocated for games and teen periodicals at the perimeter.

Los Altos Teen Center
Los Altos Public Library
13 S. San Antonio Road
Los Altos, CA 94022
Contact: Paul Miller
650/948-7683


The Los Altos Public Library decided to create a Teen Center, and asked Page + Moris to develop the interior design. An existing Group Study Room and adjacent area were transformed to meet this vision. Teen-friendly furniture was selected that can be reconfigured easily. Ample tack surface is wall-mounted above the computer “bar” where teens can plug in their laptops and access the building’s wireless system. Lounge chairs, with swivel bases, provide comfortable seating with plenty of natural light along the full height glass wall. Other lounge seats have tablet arms for individual pursuits. Eight tables, on casters for mobility, can be used individually, or all together as one large table. Two resin end panels with wavy pattern in frosted blue color, and “Ripple” bench mark the entrance. Carpet tiles with a strong graphic design contribute to the identity of the space. The color palette works with the existing finishes, yet clearly differentiates the specialness of the Teen Center. The Teen Center opened in late 2008.

Mountain View Public Library Remodel
585 Castro Street
Mountain View, CA
Contact: Karen Burnett, Library Director
650/903-6866


The Mountain View Public Library opened in October of 1997. In 2004, a team, led by Beverly Moris transformed a large octagon-shaped reading room into the “Teen Zone”, and the year after, Page + Moris was asked to design a computer-training center for the Library. When technology-driven service improvements spurred the first major remodel of the adult public areas, Page + Moris was once again asked to provide interior design services.

The library occupies a two-story building and major shifts occurred in the collections ~ Fiction was moved upstairs to provide an expanded New Books Browsing area on the first floor; the Reference collection was reduced and moved adjacent to the increased Non-fiction collection. The Media collection realized a significant increase and is featured in a more inviting retail configuration. Existing shelving and furniture was used to the extent possible, and augmented with new. Carpet was replaced where needed with a new pattern in complementing colors, and custom furniture items were designed for function and size specific applications.

The Library was closed for remodel work during the month of February 2008, and re-opened March 2008.

Alameda Free Library is a 47,000 sq. ft. building located in the city’s civic center that opened on November 2, 2006. Upon entry, patrons see the information desk, self check-out machines and grand stair that connects the two floors of the building. Beyond are located a café and protected outdoor courtyard. The architecture firm was Thomas Hacker Associates, Inc. based in Portland, Oregon. Page + Moris served in the interior design role. Interiors work included selection of building finishes and responsibility for all furniture selection and specification. A custom family of furniture was designed which also included all stack end panels and canopy tops.

The citizens of Alameda have a strong sense of their island community and a pride in their naval heritage. This became the inspiration for the architecture. Three large barrel vaults in the second floor ceiling feature linear skylights running down the centers. Wood slat ceilings provide acoustic control and at the same time, add to the beauty of the space and recall the architecture of ships. Carpet was selected that recalls ripples in water, while use of cherry wood in a natural finish is elegant and gives the interior a warm welcoming ambiance.

The Library has a Teen Homework Center and Children’s area with Storytime Program Room. A large meeting room that can be subdivided into two smaller rooms is available for the public’s use when the library is closed.

San Mateo Public Library
55 West Third Avenue
San Mateo, California
Completion: August 2006
Contact: Ben Ocon, City Librarian
650/522-7802

The new San Mateo Public Library is a 90,000 sq. ft. building that opened on August 27, 2006. The architect is EHDD, based in San Francisco, CA. The library features a state-of-the art biotech learning center, more than 100 public internet terminals, and expanded areas for children and teens. From the two-story entry lobby, patrons can see to all levels of the building. In the interior design role, Page + Moris selected interior building finishes and furniture that responded to the library’s requirements and the architect’s vision. A design of a carpet system was developed that would allow identity of the many different areas of the library, yet work within a coherent whole. A line of custom furniture was designed for the library which used colorful resin material, quartered beech, and extruded aluminum. Lounge seats are upholstered in leather for longevity of wear and upgraded image. Other major comfortable areas for adult patrons include the Main Reading Room, Business Reading, Magazines and Newspapers, Quiet Study, and a complex of meeting rooms that can be accessed when the library is closed. (Photos courtesy of Ryan Berry Fetzer Architectural Woodwork).