THP provided the structural design for the multi-year, multi-phase project to renovate Cincinnati Downtown Main Library, the flagship of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library.

The main components of the project included, replace the existing 4,000 SF skylight with a new modern skylight 75 feet above the first floor in the central atrium, lowering 10,000 SF of elevated first floor to the street level to create a safer and more welcoming Vine Street entrance, and revitalize the atrium with the addition of a monumental stair connecting to the upper three floors, creating an inviting and warm social stair.

THP’s understanding of the complicated structure helped achieve the visual aesthetics of a three-story monumental stair without introducing new columns within the existing structure. THP’s structural and building envelope experience also helped achieve a modern skylight without strengthening major structural components and with watertight detailing at columns and wall intersections.