Salt Lake City Main Public Library

EDA’s design for the Main Public Library introduced New Formalism to the region. Located opposite City Hall, the library complemented its neighbor’s ornate architecture while symbolizing the city’s future aspirations. The library was more than just a building; it was a cultural institution designed to endure. It housed over 700,000 volumes, a fine arts department, a rare books collection, a 500-seat auditorium and parking for staff and visitors. The use of locally sourced materials, such as precast concrete panels, ensured durability and thermal efficiency. The building’s distinctive feature, the integrated sculpture "Songs of Innocence" by Jo Roeper, highlighted the entrance, representing an early collaboration of modern art and architecture in Utah. A staple in the community, upon the the construction of a replacement library the citizens rallied to ensure the structure not be demolished, resulting in it housing the The Leonardo Museum,