In April 2015, we opened the new, two-story, 21,200-square-foot Manhattan Beach Library – completely replacing a 35-year-old, single story, 12,188-square-foot structure to the delight of the community. It was a golden opportunity to modernize the facility so that even the library’s wall space could be used for educational and creative purposes. In this spirit, we conceptualized a Children’s Area and Family Place for the library which includes “The Sea & Me” – a gorgeous, state-of-the-art, children’s interactive exhibit that complements the maritime nature of the surrounding Manhattan Beach neighborhood. Design-build firm Cinnabar created the fabrication.

“The Sea & Me” Children’s Interactive Exhibit panels include “Sea More Seashore,” which teaches about tide pools; “Make a Sea Monster,” which introduces basic evolutionary concepts like adaptation; “Hard to See Creatures,” which focuses on microscopic sea organisms; “See Deep Sea,” which offers a glimpse of deep sea flora and fauna; and “Sea You, Sea Me,” a book display case where librarians can feature the latest ocean-themed publications for kids. The exhibit even includes a northern-facing periscope offering kids a view of the pocket park and plaza on the library’s eastern side!

We take pride in tailoring library programming and, where possible, architecture to fit the needs and the atmosphere of each respective community we serve. At Manhattan Beach Library, this meant constructing a building which was top of the line not only in its structural amenities – such as its large, open floor plan with second-story ocean views and its ability to meet top energy efficiency standards – but in its interactive capabilities. “The Sea & Me” Children’s Interactive Exhibit is a classic example. Patrons have come to expect this kind of customer experience and we are happy to deliver it.