Columbia County Library

Location: Martinez, GA
Client: Columbia County Board of Commissioners
Architect: Studio 3 Design Group
Size: 51,000 SF

McKnight Construction was given the responsibility of building a new multi-functional library in Columbia County that people of all ages could enjoy. The 51,000 square foot facility is a hybrid fundamental building with masonry and a steel load-bearing structural system. The construction team made the exterior grounds very inviting as it is fully landscaped with pathways, a terraced modular wall and a performance amphitheater.

The Columbia County Library is divided into two sections to meet the community’s needs. The south wing of the building is a widely diverse, two-level library. Along with thousands of books available to the public, the library is also home to the Children’s Time area located on the top level and the Adult and Research Information Center downstairs.

The north wing of the building is a 400 seat innovative performing arts center. The Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center is a fully functioning state of the art performance theater. This theatre features a fly loft, lighting catwalks, scene shop, follow-spot booths and control rooms. Adjoining classrooms double as dressing rooms and the theatre shares a common lobby, toilets and parking with the library and a small cafe. The four meeting/dressing rooms can either be used individually or all by the same group. The two center rooms have a retractable wall that can be pulled back to combine them and create a space capable of accommodating groups up to 75 theater style. This well-equipped yet intimate theater is perfect for a concert, seminar or theatrical performance. Capable of seating up to 296 when including seven for handicapped, this is the perfect size theater for smaller performances with highly technical needs.