Government & Public Sector

Lakewood Ranch Library

Lakewood Ranch Library is a modern, community-focused destination designed to support learning, collaboration, and connection. The approximately 25,000-square-foot, two-story facility offers a variety of spaces for visitors to explore, study, gather, and engage with their community.

Library study area with communal tables, black and yellow chairs, orange lounge seating, and exposed ductwork.
Spacious library with exposed ceilings, blue carpeting, bookshelves, and collaborative seating areas.
Library seating area with brown upholstered benches, wood chairs, tables, and blue carpeting.
Library lounge with rust-orange armchairs, brown upholstered booths, wood tables, and blue carpeting.
Glass-enclosed library study pods with private seating, tables, and integrated screens.
Private library study pod with cream upholstered benches, a large table, and wood-paneled walls.
Glass-enclosed library study pods with cream bench seating, wood tables, and acoustic wall panels.
Library lounge with a private study pod, gray sectional seating, orange chairs, and blue carpeting.
Library study area with a high-top communal table, black chairs, lounge seating, and a private study pod.
Library lounge with curved blue seating, orange chairs, round tables, and a high-top study area.
Library lounge with blue banquette seating, orange chairs, round tables, and natural light from windows.
Library study area with communal tables, black and yellow chairs, and an enclosed glass study pod.
Modern library breakroom with blue chairs, wood cabinetry, café tables, and patterned tile backsplash.
Exterior of Lakewood Ranch Library featuring modern architecture, palm trees, and landscaped grounds.
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Client: Manatee County

Project Location: Lakewood Ranch, Florida

Completion Date: September 2026

Square Footage: 25,000

Project Intent

The vision for Lakewood Ranch Library's second floor was to create a flexible, welcoming environment that complemented the existing first-floor design while expanding the library's opportunities for learning and collaboration.

With the second floor excluded from the original building scope, Workscapes was responsible for completing the interior finishes and selecting furnishings that would create a seamless design flow throughout the facility.

A key element of the project was the intentional decision to use furniture-based group pods in place of traditional construction to create enclosed meeting and study spaces. This approach provided dedicated areas for collaboration while offering greater flexibility and adaptability as the library's needs evolve.

Workscapes furnished a variety of spaces, including break rooms, group study areas, lounge spaces, computer stations, circulation desks, and medium and large group pods. Bookshelves and storage solutions were also incorporated to support the library's daily operations and diverse programming needs.

Working with manufacturers including Knoll, OFS, Aurora Storage, Keilhauer, and ROOM, Workscapes helped create a cohesive environment that balances individual focus, group collaboration, and community engagement.

The result is a thoughtfully designed second floor that integrates naturally with the existing building while providing versatile spaces that support the evolving needs of the Lakewood Ranch community.

Smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing a blue and white floral blouse.

Nikki Ulakovic