The International Interior Design Association recently awarded Phoenix Public Library’s Desert Broom Branch, 29710 N. Cave Creek Road, three Professional Recipient for Interior Design Excellence awards.

Based on criteria including functional space layout, innovative design and good solution for budget, the association recognized the library’s design with “First Place” for a commercial public facility, “Best of Show” for a commercial facility and “Merit Award” for Commercial Product Design.

The association noted that the interior of the Desert Broom Branch is tailored to the modern library with a raised flooring system, more than 50 public computers, room for expansion, space dedicated to teens and uses several energy efficient design features.

Designed by richärd + bauer architecture, LLC, the building’s interior flexible design can expand from 15,000—25,000 square feet to meet the community’s needs as demand increases. To optimize space, the interior is broken into zones for staff, adult materials, reference, audio/visual items, teen and children’s areas.

Desert Broom, which opened in February, also was recognized by AIA Arizona, a component of the American Institute of Architects, with its prestigious 2004 Merit Award for Design.