Little
Union County
Southwest Regional Library
Waxhaw, North Carolina
Project Type
Civic & Cultural
Size
21,000 Square Feet
Design Services
Architecture, Engineering, Interior Architecture, Site Design
The Union County Southwest Regional Library brings vital civic infrastructure to a fast-growing part of the county that had long gone without it.
Situated on a wooded 9.75-acre site between Waxhaw, Wesley Chapel, and Weddington, North Carolina, the library fills a genuine service gap for residents who previously had to travel well outside their community to access public library resources. Since opening in April 2024, it has quickly become one of Union County's most-visited civic destinations, averaging more than 10,500 visitors per month.
Design Awards
- Learning By Design Fall 2025, Outstanding Project
PROJECT GOALS
Union County needed a library that could serve a growing, diverse community today and scale with it over time.
The goal was to create a place that truly belonged to the community around it. That meant engaging residents early, designing for all ages and interests, and planning a first phase that wouldn’t limit what comes next. The $14.7 million project, supported in part by $822,000 raised by the Union County Library Foundation, is designed to grow from 21,000 to 35,000 square feet as the district continues to expand.
Design Objectives
- Engage the community early to shape programming and priorities.
- Design a flexible, multi-generational space for learning, creativity, and connection.
- Root the building in its wooded site through natural light, outdoor views, and a central courtyard.
- Build Phase I to support a seamless future expansion to 35,000 SF.
Solutions
A circulation spine runs along an interior courtyard, keeping nearly every space connected to the wooded site outside. Reading areas for all ages, a maker lab, a STEAM lab, an expandable story time room, reservable study rooms, and a large meeting space all take shape from direct community input gathered before design began. The result is a building that’s intuitive, welcoming, and built for the long haul.
DESIGNED WITH THE COMMUNITY
Three town halls resulted in one shared vision
Before the design process began, Little partnered with Union County staff to evaluate potential sites using GIS analysis that weighed demographic reach, accessibility, and growth trends. From there, three public town halls gave residents a direct voice in shaping the library’s programs and priorities. That input drove decisions across the project, from the mix of spaces offered to how those spaces connect to one another.
CONNECTED TO THE OUTDOORS
Light, views, and a spine that ties it all together
The library’s central circulation spine follows the interior courtyard from end to end, giving visitors continuous sightlines to the landscape outside. Large windows and operable glazing draw in natural light throughout the day, reducing the need for artificial lighting and creating a calming, restorative environment. It’s a library that feels like a retreat as much as a resource.
BUILT TO GROW
Phase I sets the stage for what’s next
The 21,000 SF first phase was designed from the start with expansion in mind. Stormwater infrastructure, site layout, and building systems all anticipate a future build-out to 35,000 SF, minimizing future disruption and material waste. When the community grows, the library is ready to grow with it.
Results
Since opening in April 2024, the library has made an immediate and measurable impact. In its first year, it welcomed an average of more than 10,500 visitors each month, issued over 4,000 new accounts, and logged nearly 2,000 study room bookings in just the first six months. The project was delivered on time and on budget, a reflection of the collaborative, well-coordinated team that brought it to life.
