Arabian Library Verified listing

The Arabian Library, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a 21,202-square-foot public library designed by Richard Kennedy Architects. Inspired by the desert slot canyons of the American Southwest, the building captures the powerful natural sequence of compressive stone walls opening to the sky. Reflecting the terracotta red hues of sandstone formations, the design utilizes weathered steel, stone, and glass to create an immersive architectural experience. The library integrates contemporary bookstore concepts and features a 120,000-volume collection, a coffee bar, a children's program room, multipurpose rooms, a computer training center, and a dedicated teen area. Organized around a central courtyard, visitors enter through a dramatic "slot canyon" formed by steel and glass. Echoing the natural erosion of canyon walls, a continuous thread of water traverses the site, pooling at the courtyard’s edge. The library’s design harmonizes built form with the desert landscape, utilizing natural materials and contextual references to create a landmark civic space.