The Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library was conceived with community in mind. Named for the former Maryland House Speaker (2003-2019), the new, 32,400-square-foot building is a hub for Anne Arundel County residents of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. It emphasizes the sharing of information in flexible, 21st-century spaces.

The brick, glass and limestone structure was a collaborative effort by Stevensville, Maryland-based WGM Architecture + Interiors, New York-based Margaret Sullivan Studio and Louis Cherry Architecture of Raleigh, North Carolina. Organized around a central volume with clerestory windows rising two stories on one side, it encompasses meeting and collaboration spaces; dedicated areas for children, families and teens; maker and technology zones; a reading room; and a café. The entry serves as an exhibition gallery.

Flooring materials, ceiling heights, colors and finishes delineate each zone. Creative lighting is also a defining element; for example, clusters of cloud fixtures grace the kids’ area (above) while teen and adult spaces are lit by sleek, linear bars. Annapolis history also plays a role—stone entry tiles depict an 1895 nautical survey map of the Chesapeake Bay and acoustic panels showcase the text of George Washington’s resignation from the Continental Army in 1783, delivered at the nearby Maryland State House.

The library won a 2023 AIA Chesapeake Bay award for Non-Residential New Construction.

Architect of Record: Jeremy Kline, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, principal, WGM Architecture + Interiors, Stevensville, Maryland. Concept Design: Louis Cherry Architecture, Raleigh, North Carolina. Interior Design: Margaret Sullivan Studio, New York, New York. General Contractor: Towson Mechanical, Inc., Parkville, Maryland. Photography: Keith Isaacs.