

The Highland Hills Branch Library has been deeply embraced by the community, and other library systems have looked to the facility for inspiration and best practices. Despite initial concerns, the library hasn’t experienced any vandalism or broken windows. But KAI's philosophy of equitable design regardless of the economic composition of the surrounding community was persuasive, and the glass wall remained. During the course of design, designers repeatedly heard that the building would be vandalized, or bullets would shatter this expanse of glass. The resulting initial design included a curved floor-to-ceiling glass wall running the length of the library circulation area looking out onto a well-landscaped natural area. KAI's programming and conceptual design process involved meeting with key stakeholders, the local elected official and residents. The Impact Equitable design results in community pride. The project is LEED Gold, utilizing a geothermal system with forced air fed under a raised floor in the circulation space for ultimate flexibility. The library was sited to take advantage of sun angles and sits on the highest point of the site. Additionally, each scheme included a multi-purpose area with conference and classroom spaces for use by the community. Features such as self-checkout stations, a sales and transactions area and staff support areas were incorporated in each scheme. Each scheme incorporated reading and book stack areas for tots, intermediates, teens and adults as well as a centralized area with computers for access to the Internet. KAI presented three design schemes representing rectangular, curvilinear and zigzag geometries. KAI’s design team utilized innovative planning and design concepts to achieve the community’s vision and provide maximum return on the City’s investment. Area residents do not typically have computers in the home, meaning library computers are in heavy demand for school studies and research, job searches and general web-surfing. The vision for the new $4.5 million branch library was to integrate 21st century developments into a bigger and better library facility while improving service to the community in the areas of collections, technology and facilities.
Highland hills dallas texas full#
The City of Dallas selected KAI to perform full design services for a new 18,000 SF state-of-the-art facility located on a 8-acre parcel in southeast Dallas. “Feminine products if they need it, deodorant, soaps, even some cleaning products.An existing, but beloved, Highland Hills branch library had outgrown its size and availability of services that could be offered to the local community. “We got clothes, pet food, diapers,” said Kevin White and Michael Berry of the group. The group is asking for donations from the community. Hoping to ease the burden many residents are feeling, the non-profit For Oak Cliff spent the day handing out food and toiletries to families affected by the blast. They said they were told their building will likely be torn down as well. They drove to their complex on Thursday and asked police if they could go into their unit to get some of their belongings. It’s still unclear what exactly caused the blast and how many residents will be forced out.Ī still shaken Nekeshia Williams, who was blown off her feet in the blast, tells NBC 5 she and her husband are staying at one of the hotels provided. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this situation. The Fire Department’s report on the cause. We are in the process of gathering information and awaiting Emergency management officials and first responders are on‐site working alongside property management personnel to assess the situation and work with displaced residents on relocation options. Mountain Creek Apts LP, the owner of the Highland Hills Apartments in Dallas, was recently informed of the incident that occurred today at the complex. The company that owns the property provided NBC 5 the following statement:

“The night before yes, there was smells of gas,” said Camarillo. He said his unit is among those that exploded. “We’ve been smelling gas in my apartment for a long time and they aint did nothing about it,” said Eric George on Wednesday. Residents said they’ve complained to the leasing office about maintenance problems, including the smell of natural gas. This is supposed to be a safe community for our children and it’s not.” “If this had happened on the weekend, people would have died,” said Camarillo.

Dallas Police mark 7 years since deadly ambush Downtown
