News & Blog | HBM Architects

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News and Events

Recent Speaking Engagements

LJ's Design Institute 2025 | May 8, Winter Park, FL

Technology Trends Shaping The Design Process & Spaces (Yes, AI+)
Inside Out: Transformative Interiors, Connected Communities

LJ's Design Institute 2024 | October 9-10, Cincinnati, OH

Foundations: Building a Framework for a Successful Project

Resilient Libraries / Resilient Communities

ALA 2024 | June 27- July 2, San Diego, CA

Library Building Projects 101: A Crash Course

Webinar: Library Journal | November 14, 2023

Designing Libraries Within Your Means | Available to Watch

OLC 2023 | September 27-29, Cincinnati, OH

Does It Fit? How to Create Library Buildings and Spaces That Fit Their Communities

Core Forum 2022 | October 13-15, Salt Lake City, UT

Renovating and Preserving Historic Buildings

OLC 2022 | September 28-30, Toledo, OH

Library Design & Facilities in a Post-Pandemic World

Shepherding You Through the Planning and Construction of Your New / Renovated Library

Webinar: NEO-RLS | April 27, 2022

Trends in Library Design

LJ's Design Institute 2022 | June 9, New York City, NY

Energy in Place - Designing for Belonging and Inclusion

Just in Time Design: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic about Adaptability and Flexibility

ALA 2021 | June 23-29, Virtual Event

ALA | AIA Awards: 2020-21

LJ & SLJ Professional Event | May 5-19, 2021, Online Course

Designing for a Flexible Future

LJ's Design Institute 2020 | November 18, Virtual Event

Future Forward | Things We've Learned During the Pandemic that will inform Library Design

Article Feature: National Geographic Magazine | September, 2020

How Libraries are Writing a New Chapter During the Pandemic

LJ's Design Institute 2019 | October 11, Austin, TX

The Staff Connection: How Architects Balance the Influence of Staff on Design and Design on Staff

LJ's Design Institute 2019 | May 3, Columbia, SC

Community: Responsive Design

ALA 2018 | June 21, New Orleans, LA

Transforming Spaces: Promoting Inclusion In and Through Library Interiors

OLC 2017 | October 5, Dayton, OH

Visual Merchandising: Applying Bookstore Insight to Public Library Collections (Co-Speaker: Toldedo-Lucas County Public Library)

LJ's Design Institute 2017 | May 5, Columbus, OH

Key Trends in Adaptive Reuse, Expansion, and Renovation Projects

Webinar: DEMCO | April 19, 2017

Re-Evaluating Existing Library Spaces & Furnishings on a Budget

LJ's Design Institute 2016 | October 20, Charleston, SC

Interactive Learning Spaces and Customer-Centric Spaces in Small Libraries

ALA 2016 | June 3, Orlando, FL

Top Library Trends of 2016

Association of Academic Health Services Library | April 18, 2016, Philadelphia, PA

Teaching & Learning in New Library Spaces: The Changing Landscape of Health Sciences Libraries | Thinking Differently, Embracing Dynamic Change & the Benefits of Flexible Space

PLA 2016 | April 5, Denver, CO

Creating Alternative Library Facilities

Webinar: LJ Lead the Change Workshop | February 1, 2016

Lead the Change: How Designs have Revolutionized Neighborhoods, Become Community Connectors, and Catalyzed the Creative Economy through Innovation.

LJ's Design Institute 2015 | December 4, Nashville, TN

Reflecting the Community

Webinar: Library Journal | September 29, 2015

Boundless Libraries: A Look at the 2015 New Landmark Libraries

Congratulations to Mansfield Richland County Public Library and the Ontario community on the reopening of the Ontario Branch! We had the chance to attend the opening and loved seeing families and community members already making use of the space. The refreshed space brings thoughtful updates that will make a lasting impact for the people who use it every day. We’re proud to have helped bring the design to life.

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#OntarioBranch #MRCPL #LibraryOpening #LibraryDesign #PublicLibraries #CommunitySpaces #HBMArchitects #Architecture #InteriorDesign #GrandOpening

Congratulations to Mansfield Richland County Public Library and the Ontario community on the reopening of the Ontario Branch! We had the chance to attend the opening and loved seeing families and community members already making use of the space. The refreshed space brings thoughtful updates that will make a lasting impact for the people who use it every day. We’re proud to have helped bring the design to life.

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#OntarioBranch #MRCPL #LibraryOpening #LibraryDesign #PublicLibraries #CommunitySpaces #HBMArchitects #Architecture #InteriorDesign #GrandOpening

Please join us in welcoming Laura to the HBM team!

Laura is an architecture student at Miami University and will be spending the summer with us as an Architectural Intern, gaining hands-on experience and learning alongside our studio.

We’re happy to have you here, Laura!

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#HBMArchitects #ArchitectureInternship #ArchitectureStudent #SummerInternship #Mentorship #WelcomeToTheTeam

Please join us in welcoming Laura to the HBM team!

Laura is an architecture student at Miami University and will be spending the summer with us as an Architectural Intern, gaining hands-on experience and learning alongside our studio.

We’re happy to have you here, Laura!

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#HBMArchitects #ArchitectureInternship #ArchitectureStudent #SummerInternship #Mentorship #WelcomeToTheTeam

For 50 years, HBM Architects has been trusted to restore and reimagine Carnegie libraries across the country. These civic buildings were originally designed to bring knowledge and opportunity to the public, housed in architecture that was intended to last for generations.

We’ve worked on dozens of these libraries across the country, and each one brings its own history, charm, and set of challenges. Some, like Sandusky, have been ongoing collaborations. Others, like Dowagiac, Bellevue, and Amherst, called for careful restoration and expansion. Locally, our work across Cleveland, East Cleveland, and Lakewood has reinforced our belief that these buildings still have so much to give and are deeply appreciated by the communities they serve.

Restoration is a responsibility, and it’s one we’ve shaped our practice around. These buildings require more than technical updates. They demand an understanding of history, materials, and the people they serve. Our team brings decades of experience not just in preserving architecture, but in making it feel relevant and responsive to the communities that rely on it. Carnegie libraries were built with care: solid materials, generous proportions, and a clear civic purpose. Our role is to carry that purpose forward with the same level of thoughtfulness they were originally given.

That work continues today. Our current collaboration with the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Forest Park Branch in Maryland is a reminder that Carnegie buildings are still very much alive in the communities they serve. More than a century after their original construction, these libraries remain relevant and worth investing in when approached with care, creativity, and a deep respect for their lasting purpose.

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#HBM50Years #CarnegieLibraries #LibraryDesign #HistoricPreservation #CivicArchitecture #ArchitectureThatLasts #AdaptiveReuse #HBMArchitects

For 50 years, HBM Architects has been trusted to restore and reimagine Carnegie libraries across the country. These civic buildings were originally designed to bring knowledge and opportunity to the public, housed in architecture that was intended to last for generations.

We’ve worked on dozens of these libraries across the country, and each one brings its own history, charm, and set of challenges. Some, like Sandusky, have been ongoing collaborations. Others, like Dowagiac, Bellevue, and Amherst, called for careful restoration and expansion. Locally, our work across Cleveland, East Cleveland, and Lakewood has reinforced our belief that these buildings still have so much to give and are deeply appreciated by the communities they serve.

Restoration is a responsibility, and it’s one we’ve shaped our practice around. These buildings require more than technical updates. They demand an understanding of history, materials, and the people they serve. Our team brings decades of experience not just in preserving architecture, but in making it feel relevant and responsive to the communities that rely on it. Carnegie libraries were built with care: solid materials, generous proportions, and a clear civic purpose. Our role is to carry that purpose forward with the same level of thoughtfulness they were originally given.

That work continues today. Our current collaboration with the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Forest Park Branch in Maryland is a reminder that Carnegie buildings are still very much alive in the communities they serve. More than a century after their original construction, these libraries remain relevant and worth investing in when approached with care, creativity, and a deep respect for their lasting purpose.

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#HBM50Years #CarnegieLibraries #LibraryDesign #HistoricPreservation #CivicArchitecture #ArchitectureThatLasts #AdaptiveReuse #HBMArchitects

We’re at the 2025 Florida Library Association Conference in Orlando!

Stop by Booth #707 to chat with us about your community’s goals and how thoughtful design can help bring them to life.

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#FLACON2025 #LibraryDesign #HBMArchitects #CommunityDrivenDesign #FloridaLibraries #Architecture #Design @floridalibraryassociation

We’re at the 2025 Florida Library Association Conference in Orlando!

Stop by Booth #707 to chat with us about your community’s goals and how thoughtful design can help bring them to life.

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#FLACON2025 #LibraryDesign #HBMArchitects #CommunityDrivenDesign #FloridaLibraries #Architecture #Design @floridalibraryassociation

Libraries are changing, and last week’s Library Jornal’s Design Institute in Winter Park, Florida was a space to dig into what that change looks like and how design can help guide it.

Peter Bolek, President, and Brooke Breiner, Interior Designer, of HBM Architects, participated in panel discussions alongside some incredibly thoughtful peers, covering everything from technology’s role in shaping space to the power of interior design and connecting communities.

Our breakout session invited attendees to sketch out their own “Library of the Future,” placing key program elements onto floor plans and exploring relationships between spaces, mood, and function. The session was a team effort, and it sparked some really insightful conversations.

We always come back from these events with fresh energy and new perspectives, ready to bring what we’ve learned into the work ahead. A huge thank you to Library Journal and Winter Park Library for creating space for such a meaningful event, and to the Orlando Public Library and the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation for the tours of your extraordinary buildings.

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 #LJDesignInstitute #LibraryDesign #HBMArchitects #CommunityDrivenDesign #InteriorDesign #Architecture #OrlandoPublicLibrary #EdythBushCharitableFoundation #PublicLibraries #WinterParkFL

Libraries are changing, and last week’s Library Jornal’s Design Institute in Winter Park, Florida was a space to dig into what that change looks like and how design can help guide it.

Peter Bolek, President, and Brooke Breiner, Interior Designer, of HBM Architects, participated in panel discussions alongside some incredibly thoughtful peers, covering everything from technology’s role in shaping space to the power of interior design and connecting communities.

Our breakout session invited attendees to sketch out their own “Library of the Future,” placing key program elements onto floor plans and exploring relationships between spaces, mood, and function. The session was a team effort, and it sparked some really insightful conversations.

We always come back from these events with fresh energy and new perspectives, ready to bring what we’ve learned into the work ahead. A huge thank you to Library Journal and Winter Park Library for creating space for such a meaningful event, and to the Orlando Public Library and the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation for the tours of your extraordinary buildings.

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 #LJDesignInstitute #LibraryDesign #HBMArchitects #CommunityDrivenDesign #InteriorDesign #Architecture #OrlandoPublicLibrary #EdythBushCharitableFoundation #PublicLibraries #WinterParkFL

It was great to be back at the St. Johns County Hastings Community Center and Library site last week to see how things are progressing. Now that the structure is up, you can really start to see how the spaces work- how they’ll feel, how they’ll connect, and how this building will serve the community once it’s complete.

We’re excited to keep following the progress as it all comes together! 🏗️

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#HastingsFL #StJohnsCounty #PublicLibrary #CommunityCenter #LibraryDesign #Architecture #CivicArchitecture #DesignInProgress #HBMArchitects #FloridaLibraries #CommunitySpaces

It was great to be back at the St. Johns County Hastings Community Center and Library site last week to see how things are progressing. Now that the structure is up, you can really start to see how the spaces work- how they’ll feel, how they’ll connect, and how this building will serve the community once it’s complete.

We’re excited to keep following the progress as it all comes together! 🏗️

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#HastingsFL #StJohnsCounty #PublicLibrary #CommunityCenter #LibraryDesign #Architecture #CivicArchitecture #DesignInProgress #HBMArchitects #FloridaLibraries #CommunitySpaces

As we commemorate 50 years of HBM Architects, we’re revisiting pivotal projects that have helped shape our legacy.

Located in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood, the Carnegie West Branch opened in 1910 and remains the largest branch in the Cleveland Public Library system. Our 1976 renovation preserved its Renaissance-inspired architecture while adapting the space for modern library use.

Ornate terra cotta columns and trim were restored using innovative techniques, including epoxy injection to stabilize cracks and prevent further deterioration. Inside, the reorganization of the reading rooms created open and welcoming spaces with improved sightlines and more comfortable seating. The central reading room also gained a new energy-efficient lighting system, developed in collaboration with General Electric’s research team, offering a solution that honored the building’s historic character while improving performance.

At the time, there was serious discussion about demolishing the building and replacing it with a smaller, modern branch. However, its historical and architectural significance stood out, and our firm’s founder, David Holzheimer, saw the potential to restore rather than replace. Carnegie West became an early example of how preservation and modernization can work together to meet evolving community needs.

This project received a Preservation and Design Award from the American Institute of Architects, marking the beginning of HBM’s long-standing dedication to public libraries.

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#HBM50Years #LibraryDesign #HistoricPreservation #ClevelandPublicLibrary #CarnegieWest

As we commemorate 50 years of HBM Architects, we’re revisiting pivotal projects that have helped shape our legacy.

Located in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood, the Carnegie West Branch opened in 1910 and remains the largest branch in the Cleveland Public Library system. Our 1976 renovation preserved its Renaissance-inspired architecture while adapting the space for modern library use.

Ornate terra cotta columns and trim were restored using innovative techniques, including epoxy injection to stabilize cracks and prevent further deterioration. Inside, the reorganization of the reading rooms created open and welcoming spaces with improved sightlines and more comfortable seating. The central reading room also gained a new energy-efficient lighting system, developed in collaboration with General Electric’s research team, offering a solution that honored the building’s historic character while improving performance.

At the time, there was serious discussion about demolishing the building and replacing it with a smaller, modern branch. However, its historical and architectural significance stood out, and our firm’s founder, David Holzheimer, saw the potential to restore rather than replace. Carnegie West became an early example of how preservation and modernization can work together to meet evolving community needs.

This project received a Preservation and Design Award from the American Institute of Architects, marking the beginning of HBM’s long-standing dedication to public libraries.

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#HBM50Years #LibraryDesign #HistoricPreservation #ClevelandPublicLibrary #CarnegieWest

Please join us in welcoming Patrick to the HBM team!
He brings a fresh perspective to our business development team, helping us connect with new partners and share the impact of our projects. We’re glad to have him with us!

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#Architecture #BusinessDevelopment #TeamHBM

Please join us in welcoming Patrick to the HBM team!
He brings a fresh perspective to our business development team, helping us connect with new partners and share the impact of our projects. We’re glad to have him with us!

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#Architecture #BusinessDevelopment #TeamHBM

Congratulations to the Town of Manchester and the Manchester Public Library on breaking ground for what will soon be a welcoming new home for learning, creativity, and connection. Set in the heart of downtown, the library will offer expanded access to resources, flexible gathering areas, and dynamic programming. With a design rooted in sustainability and forward-thinking innovation, this space will support residents of all ages for years to come. It was a joy to mark this milestone alongside the community, and we look forward to seeing it all come to life.

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#ManchesterCT #PublicLibrary #LibraryDesign #CommunityArchitecture #HBMArchitects #CivicProjects #Libraries #GroundBreaking

Congratulations to the Town of Manchester and the Manchester Public Library on breaking ground for what will soon be a welcoming new home for learning, creativity, and connection. Set in the heart of downtown, the library will offer expanded access to resources, flexible gathering areas, and dynamic programming. With a design rooted in sustainability and forward-thinking innovation, this space will support residents of all ages for years to come. It was a joy to mark this milestone alongside the community, and we look forward to seeing it all come to life.

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#ManchesterCT #PublicLibrary #LibraryDesign #CommunityArchitecture #HBMArchitects #CivicProjects #Libraries #GroundBreaking

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