File:DOC040 (Medium).tif

English: Envisioned as the first part of a new downtown civic center development, the Schaefer Schirmer & Eflin 1967 Wichita Public Library (Wichita, Kansas) is an important example of post-war, modern architecture in the Brutalist style. Brutalism exemplifies the expression of structural elements, giving the raw materials of construction (concrete, glass) the central focus. With a price tag of $2.6 million, the 1967 Wichita Public Library opened in March of 1967, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in October 2020. In alignment with Brutalist principles, SSE utilized blasted concrete as the main architectural and structural element both inside and out. The library’s clean lines maximize appeal and efficiency, with floor to ceiling bronze glass and repeating rectangular forms. The focus on minimalist finishes optimized ease of maintenance. Well before the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, SS&E made accommodations for the handicapped part of the library design, with ramping and specially accessible restrooms.