Burien residents had an opportunity to view the latest designs for the planned 57,000-square-foot City Hall/King County Regional Library at an open house Dec. 12.

They also were able to speak with the architect and city staff about the joint project, which will double the current size of both facilities.

The new city hall/library facility will anchor the Town Square project that officials expect to be completed by 2010.

Assistant Burien City Manager David Kline explained that the schematic design phase for the joint building is approximately 50 percent complete, with construction expected to begin in January.

Representatives of the architectural firm for the project, Ruffcorn Mott Hinthorne Stein, explained the schematic design to-date.

“What’s interesting is that the library and the city hall will each have their own identity,” said Brad Hinthorne, architect partner.

He said although the two facilities will share one building, the library will present a more public view. City hall will have a civic view.

Moreover, the two-floor library, which will curve along the corner of Southwest 152nd Street and Fourth Avenue Southwest, will be viewed from a public stance as a transparent, welcoming place, with lofty glass windows, Hinthorne noted.

He said the other side of the building, where the city council chambers will be housed on the first floor with city hall on the second, will face the Town Square public park and have a more civic identity.

Views from the building of Mount Rainier have been maximized, he added.

Kline said the interior design has been revised to reflect the separate needs of the two facilities.

For example, a grand staircase that was initially designed to internally connect the library directly to city hall on the second floor was changed.

“There were divergent security needs to control within the library how people come and go,” said Hinthorne.

The new design reveals, instead, a staircase that connects the two floors of the library, making it easier for people to remember to check out their books before veering off to the other side of the building or leaving.

Some citizens were concerned about elevator access. Hinthorne assured them one will be constructed internally to the library, and one solely for city hall.

Kline also noted that the lobby is grander than originally planned and that the structure in the front has lengthened.

One resident was concerned with this enlargement and asked whether the lobby would simply be wasted space.

“The question is how do we actively use this space so it’s more civic, but not wasted,” Kline replied.

He said the architects are still working on the answer and may include a place for art, or it could serve as a gathering place for coffee.

The new design will also address the similar needs of the two facilities.

Kline said that most of the public space will be on the first floor, which has been referred to as the “fun floor.” It will offer reading sections, such as children’s, media and fiction.

An open public space on this floor can be used for programs such as tutoring during the day, and council meetings in the evening.

On the “serious” second floor, said Kline, the library side will offer a quiet study overlooking the park, and reading sections for non-fiction and references.

Next to this will be the city hall.

This design will ensure that both facilities can operate harmoniously, officials noted.