Group 4 Architecture Research + Planning, Inc.

📚 This National Library Week, we’re celebrating the incredible library workers who inspire and help shape Group 4's projects every day. Their deep expertise, passion for learning, and unwavering commitment to their communities are critical to each library we plan and design. From innovative programming to creating welcoming spaces for all, library staff are the visionaries and advocates who bring big ideas to life. 💡 At Group 4, our work is only possible because of the librarians, administrators, and support teams who dream boldly, collaborate generously, and never stop championing access, equity, and opportunity. Thank you for all that you do — this week and every week! #NationalLibraryWeek #NationalLibraryWorkersDay #Group4Architecture

This week is #NationalLibraryWeek! Libraries need our support now more than ever. If you are in Spokane, Washington, check out one of the six playspaces we fabricated for the Spokane Public Library System. Each playspace is regionally themed, with native animals, landscapes, and legends connecting them all. Check out a book, explore the maker labs, and hang with Sasquatch! Project Partner: Luci Creative - Experience Design Group 4 Architecture Research + Planning, Inc. - Architect

Group 4 is a Silver Sponsor at this year’s Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) Pacific Regional Conference! We’re thrilled to join the higher ed community in Monterey to discuss what’s next for campus planning and design. Principal Jill Eyres and Associate Nicole Ghiselli will be there representing our team—connecting with potential collaborators and diving deep into the trends and conversations shaping the future of learning environments. Come say hello—we’d love to chat! Pictured: The new Chabot College Library & Learning Connection (Co-Designed with HMC Architects) 📸: HMC Architects #SCUP #SCUPPacific25 #highereddesign #higheredplanning

From walled off to wide open — Group 4 + Champlin Architecture designed the Cincinnati Main Library to be radically reimagined as a civic space for everyone. What was once an inward-focused structure is now linked to the city through the refreshed civic plaza — a bold new front yard for public life. With vibrant, flexible spaces hosting everything from art festivals to health clinics, this plaza is a lively and welcoming starting point to visitors’ journeys into the library. At the heart of the 540,000 SF building is the new social stoop + atrium — anchored by a musical stair and performance space connecting all five stories of the library. Its art-glass guardrails feature a rainbow discography of 1,602 musical recordings from local artists, each one a note in the city’s cultural symphony. This re-imagination reflects that the future of the library spaces is not just about information + access to resources — it’s about invitation and belonging. 📸 credit: Wesley Battoclette #LibraryDesign #MainLibrary #CincinnatiMainLibrary

Group 4 is heading to the California Park & Recreation Society Connections Conference & Expo later this week in Sacramento! We are looking forward to diving into the future of parks + recreation design and how we shape communities through inclusive, innovative spaces. If you are attending, keep an eye out for Group 4 and let's connect! Pictured: San Bruno Recreation & Aquatic Center 📸 credit: Cesar Rubio

Chabot College’s new Library & Learning Connection isn’t just a building—it’s a bridge, reconnecting students to campus and to each other. As President Dr. Jamal Cooks shares, this space was designed with students at the center, creating an environment that is open and welcoming. Since re-opening, the library has invigorated the campus experience and immediately has made a positive impact on the learning journey for each student. With glass walls, flexible learning spaces, and intentional gathering areas, the Library & Learning Connection breaks down barriers—both physical and social. It fosters collaboration, engagement, and academic success by making resources more visible and accessible. By making learning more interactive and social, this space is redefining how students engage with their education and each other. Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/gebkS_cn  #HigherEd #Gorup4Architecture #newconstruction Co-Design Architects: HMC Architects Video: Lawrence Anderson Studio General Contractor: Rudolph and Sletten Programming: Buro Happold Landscape: SWA Civil: BKF Engineers M/P: Capital Engineering Fire/LS: Jensen Hughes Electrical: O’Mahony & Myer Structural: Walter P Moore

Yesterday before the rain hit, Group 4 visited the College of Marin Learning Resource Center, currently under construction and set to open in early 2026! Associate Harding Dowell, AIA led the tour with folks from the Group 4 and the SWA team, offering a glimpse into how the new facility is taking shape as a vibrant hub for student life and academic support. Designed to bring together a wide range of student services, the LRC will serve as a central gathering place, fostering collaboration and engagement at the heart of campus. The building’s striking ridgeline roof and expansive glazing frame panoramic views of Mt. Tam, while its placement on the site strengthens connections between the campus, College Avenue, and the Kentfield community. A new social plaza, terraces, and inviting indoor-outdoor spaces will create opportunities for students to connect, study, and engage in campus life. Seeing the project come to life reinforced our excitement for the impact this space will have on students and the community for generations to come. We can’t wait to see the final result! Read more about the project, here: https://lnkd.in/giUSiPV7 #CollegeOfMarin #LearningResourceCenter #HigherEdDesign #Construction #Group4Architecture

Libraries and performance spaces share a common thread: they bring communities together. At Group 4, we continuously explore how these environments can enhance each other. Lunch on Monday included a design charette to spark fresh ideas on integrating culture, learning, and creativity into a seamless experience—where books, music, and movement coexist. Group 4's best ideas emerge when we collaborate, challenge each other, and leverage all our team's experience in crafting the libraries and cultural spaces of tomorrow. #FutureOfLibraries #DesignInnovation #PerformanceSpaces

Group 4 Architecture Research + Planning, Inc. has been collaborating with Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) and Luci Creative to design interactive and inspiring children's spaces at every SCCLD branch. Excited to see the first of these opening very soon! Be sure to check out the Library's project website and cute video at https://lnkd.in/g3_x9x62

Group 4 Principal Andrea Gifford shares the vision behind Chabot College’s new Library & Learning Connection—a student-centered hub designed to foster collaboration, learning, and support. Thoughtfully crafted to reflect the needs of Chabot’s diverse student body, the LLC blends flexibility, transparency, and inclusivity into every space.   The first floor welcomes all with open study areas, a café, and family-friendly spaces, creating an inviting atmosphere for both independent and group work. Floating above the atrium, dedicated learning community spaces provide vital resources + spaces for student support. The second floor expands on these collaborative zones with study rooms and integrated faculty offices, reinforcing mentorship and academic success. The third floor offers a grand reading room, group study rooms, and an outdoor terrace—providing serene, light-filled spaces for deep focus and reflection.   Designed as the beating heart of campus, the LLC empowers students at every step. #Group4Architecture #Library #Learning #architecture Co-Design Architects: HMC Architects Video: Lawrence Anderson Studio General Contractor: Rudolph and Sletten Programming: Buro Happold Landscape: SWA Civil: BKF Engineers M/P: Capital Engineering Fire/LS: Jensen Hughes Electrical: O’Mahony & Myer Structural: Walter P Moore