Project Profile:
CCPL Parma Heights (6188 Pearl Rd., Parma Heights)
Photos by Feinknopf Photography
Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) recently opened its new Parma Heights Branch, a 22,000-square-foot facility designed to expand community access to education, technology and collaborative gathering spaces. Designed by Bialosky and constructed by Shook Construction, the branch replaces the previous library with a modern, open-concept environment focused on flexibility, accessibility and connections to the surrounding landscape. The interior design emphasizes transparency and daylight, while drawing inspiration from the adjacent Cleveland Metroparks Connector Trail. Floor-to-ceiling glazing throughout the building draws natural light deep into the library while framing wooded exterior views that reinforce the project’s nature-inspired aesthetic. Warm wood finishes, textured wall treatments and exposed structural elements create a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Children’s spaces incorporate playful design features that support interactive learning and exploration. Colorful angled wall panels, nature graphics and soft seating introduce a vibrant visual identity. Additional integrated play elements and scaled furnishings create areas tailored to younger visitors without separating them from the broader library experience. A variety of flexible spaces support changing community and educational needs. Glass-enclosed meeting and study rooms provide visual openness while maintaining acoustic privacy, and a dedicated technology classroom and Innovation Center offer maker-focused resources. Open computer stations maximize access to daylight and outdoor views. Throughout the branch, furnishings and finishes balance durability with hospitality-inspired design. Lounge seating clustered near a fireplace creates an informal gathering space, while varied seating arrangements accommodate both collaborative and individual use. Linear lighting, acoustical ceiling treatments and patterned, earth-toned carpeting help organize circulation while softening the scale of the large public interiors. As a regional hub for lifelong learning, the branch serves as the new headquarters for Aspire Greater Cleveland, an adult education organization focused on workforce and career development. It will also house a future early learning center operated by The Centers, a non-profit organization that provides integrated health, wellness and family support services throughout Northeast Ohio. –Properties Staff www.propertiesmag.com 51