Small state, big award for Delaware library design

When the new Kirkwood Library in New Castle County, Delaware, opened a year ago, it was vilified by many patrons for its modern exterior design. "I thought it was the ugliest thing," said Marie Adams, who lives in the nearby Creek Landing neighborhood.

Now, architects from around the world are praising the designer's use of glass, cedar wood and a white composite siding known as HardiPlank. The Kirkwood Library recently was named one of 94 recipients of a 2010 International Architecture Award. They are presented annually for the best new designs in architecture, landscaping, interior design, and urban planning from around the world.

"There was a lot of controversy about the library's look, but I think you shouldn't judge a book by its cover," said New Castle County Councilman Joseph Reda."Now, this ugly duckling has turned into a swan." The prestigious award puts the $10 million, single-story building in the same league as the Burj Khalifa, a $1.5 billion skyscraper in Dubai that became the tallest man-made building in the world last fall. Read the article in The News Journal online.