Holst Finalizes Gresham Library Project Following Adjaye Associates Dismissal
Architecture firm Holst has completed the mass-timber East County Library in Oregon, according to reporting from Dezeen. Originally designed by Adjaye Associates, the project was handed over to Holst after misconduct allegations against David Adjaye led the county to remove his firm from the development team while retaining the building’s core structural concepts.
Context from Industry Pulse
The completion of the East County Library represents a significant moment for Holst, which has established itself in the mass-timber sector with previous high-profile projects in Portland. The transition from Adjaye Associates to Holst mirrors shifts seen at other institutions, such as the Princeton Art Museum, where executive architects took over projects following allegations against David Adjaye. While the original design language remains largely intact, Holst’s focus on optimizing local timber resources and simplifying the roofline demonstrates how architects of record are increasingly stepping into lead roles to ensure project continuity for municipal stakeholders when lead designers face public controversy.
The new public facility in Gresham utilizes a hybrid structural system that combines concrete and steel cores with mass-timber floorplates and walls. As Dezeen notes, the building features a square footprint topped by a trapezoidal roof, creating sheltered entryways supported by large glulam columns. These massive vertical elements were designed to evoke the feeling of a forest, a metaphor that extends to the interior layout where a central atrium serves as a clearing for visitors.
Holst took over as lead architect after serving as the architect of record from the project's inception. Following a Financial Times investigation into David Adjaye, Multnomah County officials opted to release Adjaye Associates from the contract. While the county requested that Holst maintain the project’s established architectural bones, the studio did implement several modifications. These changes included the removal of a planned rooftop tower and overhanging screens that were part of the initial design.
Materiality played a significant role in the project’s execution, with local supplier TimberLab providing the wood. Interior details include notched beams and columns that serve the dual purpose of creating a residential aesthetic while concealing mechanical and lighting systems. The facade integrates these timber elements with high-performance concrete bands and vertical glass strips, while a semi-circular protrusion with grey concrete panels houses the library's amphitheater.
According to Dezeen, the interior organization centers on a double-height atrium featuring a wood-slatted spiral staircase. Book storage and classrooms are situated along the perimeter, surrounding the central core. To enhance the connection to the outdoors, the design incorporates green carpeting, sawtooth lightwells that provide diffused natural light, and a rooftop patio offering views of the nearby mountains. The library is further integrated into the local infrastructure via proximity to both bus and rail lines.
The Industry Pulse Bottom Line
The Gresham library highlights a growing trend of firm resilience, where architects of record successfully navigate leadership transitions to deliver major civic infrastructure while maintaining original design integrity.