Chimbole Cultural Center & Library

City of Palmdale, CA

A modern community center with a parking lot, including designated handicap spaces, surrounded by trees and landscaping. People are walking and gathering outside the building, which features a white facade with red accents and outdoor seating.

Civic/Municipal | On the boards

Library Design Competition

Project Overview

SGH Architects was honored to participate in the recent design competition for the renovation and expansion of the Palmdale City Library and the Chimbole Cultural Center. Together, these two facilities formed a cornerstone of community life in Palmdale, and this project representsed a unique opportunity to reimagine their potential as interconnected spaces for learning, culture, and civic engagement.

Our approach emphasized both revitalization and connection, ensuring these buildings served the evolving needs of the community while preserving their important roles as civic landmarks.

Location
Palmdale, California

Services Provided
Full Architectural Services - Design Competition

Principal in charge
Michael J. Stephens, AIA, NCARB

Size
TBD

Interior view of a shopping mall or public space with a tiled floor, glass doors, and people sitting and walking. Sculptures and public artwork are visible along the hallway.

Meeting Growing Community Needs

For the Palmdale City Library, our design envisioned a thoughtful 4,000-square-foot expansion that eliminated the existing breezeway and directly linked the Library to the Cultural Center. This connection not only enhanced the user experience but also created greater flexibility in how the two facilities serve the public.

Inside, the Library was reimagined with updated technology, adaptable programming areas, and modernized spaces that better supported collaboration, learning, and discovery. By expanding southward and integrating with the Cultural Center, the Library gained both capacity and connectivity.

The Chimbole Cultural Center with people gathered outside, some sitting, others walking or talking. There are pink flowering bushes on the building, a grassy area with small plants, and a paved courtyard with a basketball hoop painted on the ground.

A New Cultural Hub

At the Chimbole Cultural Center, our team explored options in response to the City’s programmatic goals while addressing fire and water damage sustained in 2022.

Upgrades to accessibility, lighting, and parking were central to our design approach, ensuring the Cultural Center emerged as a safe, flexible, and welcoming civic space.

Indoor art gallery with sculptures, seating area, and people socializing.

Artist's rendering of a cultural center with landscaped grounds, parking lot, and a group of children in a playground area.

Interior of a modern coffee shop or workspace named 'APPETITE' with people sitting at tables, browsing on laptops, and a bookshelf display with various snacks and books. A woman in orange is walking past a yellow accent wall.

Exterior view of Palmdale City Library with people gathered outside on a sunny day. The building has a modern design with a mix of white and wood paneling and large windows. There are trees and flowering bushes along the sidewalk, and a vintage-style

People gathered outside the Chinatown Cultural Center in the evening, with trees, flowers, and streetlights illuminating the scene. A person is riding a bicycle, and others are sitting or standing, engaging in conversations.

Aerial view of a modern building with a landscaped outdoor area, people walking and biking, parked cars, and street lamps.

night view of a cultural center with people walking and gathering outside, parking lot with some cars, landscaped trees and bushes, illuminated street lamps, and a sunset sky

People gathered outdoors near a modern cultural center with floral landscaping, trees, and lampposts during dusk.

A Vision for the Future

SGH Architects’ vision for the Library and Cultural Center emphasized renewal, connection, and long-term community impact.

By blending restoration with forward-looking design, our approach strengthened these facilities as vibrant civic landmarks that would continue to serve and inspire Palmdale for years to come.

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