Miami-Dade Public Library System's Hialeah Gardens Branch Library Recognized as Design-Build Project of the Year by the Design-Build Institute of America Florida Region Awards

The Miami-Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) is proud to announce that the Hialeah Gardens Branch Library has won the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Florida Region 2021 Project of the Year award in the Federal/State/County/Municipal category. The award recognizes project excellence, innovation and interdisciplinary teamwork and was presented to the design-build team of State Contracting & Engineering Corp., Silva Architects and MDPLS.

“This award is a well-deserved recognition of the innovation and sustainable design that went into building the Hialeah Gardens Branch Library,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “The library is state-of-the-art, providing residents with access to the latest technology and creating a dynamic, welcoming, creative community space that is helping our families thrive.”

The new Hialeah Gardens Branch Library officially opened to the public on February 11, 2021. The 13,500-square foot library, located at 13451 NW 107 Avenue inside the Westland Gardens Park complex, replaced an existing 1,300-square foot storefront location and features many amenities, including a YOUmedia Miami studio for audio and video content creation and learning, hi-speed Wi-Fi connectivity inside and outside the branch, the latest computers and laptops, an auditorium, collaboration areas and meeting spaces.

“The Hialeah Gardens Branch Library is a great example of our commitment to improving and modernizing our Miami-Dade Public Libraries and addressing the changing needs of our community,” said Library Director Ray Baker. “The new library allows us to provide a broader range of services, programs and events to the growing Hialeah Gardens community and patrons of the entire Miami-Dade Public Library System. We’re proud to be a part of the design-build team recognized with the DBIA award.”

The design-build team incorporated many sustainable features in the LEED Silver certified building to maximize operational efficiency, including a daylight harvesting system, which uses natural light to offset the amount of electrical lighting needed resulting in reduced energy consumption, and touchless water bottle filling stations to minimize the use of disposable plastic bottles.

“Collaboration, service and sustainability were project goals shared by the design-build team,” said Paul Carty, President of State Contracting & Engineering Corp. “The result is a benchmark project for all stakeholders involved and a modern and welcoming public library building for a growing vibrant community.”

Editor’s Note: Photos available upon request.

About the Miami-Dade Public Library System
The mission of the Miami-Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) is to provide extraordinary services, spaces and experiences that promote literacy and learning, personal growth and limitless opportunities. MDPLS is recognized as an Autism Friendly Partner by the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. MDPLS has been honored with an Urban Libraries Council 2020 Innovation Award as Top Innovator in the Civic and Community Engagement category and awarded 59 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards over the past five years. MDPLS has also received the Florida Library Association (FLA) Award for Exemplary Instructional Programs or Services for its Climate of Art Program in 2021 and Homework Help and Tutoring Program in 2020, FLA Library Innovation Award for its Technobus in 2019 and the FLA Award for Excellence in Marketing and Public Relations in 2018. Learn more at www.mdpls.org.