In its latest issue, Green Building & Design magazine recounts the story of the transformation of Appleton Public Library, tracing the journey of one of the city’s most beloved civic institutions from a dated Brutalist structure to a vibrant, sustainable community hub.

The article follows the evolution of a building long at the center of civic debate. For nearly 20 years, Appleton residents discussed whether to relocate, rebuild, or renovate the 1981 structure. That conversation came to a turning point in 2021 when the city selected SOM to lead the project. For Jason Fisher, a Senior Associate Principal at SOM and Appleton native, it was a unique professional milestone. Having grown up visiting the library, Fisher had long followed the public dialogue around its future. He led the design effort from 2021 through its completion in early 2025.

SOM’s approach focused on retaining and adapting the original building to meet contemporary needs. Working within the constraints of a tight budget and rising material costs, the team made key strategic decisions—such as relocating a large new community space to a rooftop addition—to preserve resources while expanding capacity. The new top-floor gathering space accommodates more than 300 people.

The redesigned library features expanded glazing, daylight-filled interiors, and new vertical connections that link programs across three levels. A high-performance bronze aluminum cladding system replaced the outdated facade, and a bird-safe glass curtain wall opens the south side of the building to natural light. Two new skylights bring additional daylight into the deep floor plates of the original structure.

Sustainability played a central role throughout. A geothermal system—supported by 70 wells beneath the parking lot—now provides 100 percent of the building’s heating and cooling needs. The envelope was rebuilt with high-efficiency insulation and improved detailing to reduce energy loss.

As the article notes, the Appleton Public Library’s transformation is both a response to long-standing community goals and a model for how aging civic infrastructure can be adapted for the future.