Phoenix Burton Barr Central Library Shines With Summer Solstice Celebration

By Jackie Hai, Daisy Finch
Published: Friday, June 22, 2018 - 10:22pm
Updated: Friday, June 21, 2019 - 12:50pm

The Burton Barr Central Library held its annual celebration of the summer solstice Thursday, welcoming spectators to see unique features of the top floor revealed by the sun only once a year.

RELATED: Burton Barr Central Library In Phoenix Reopens After Nearly A Year

On the first day of summer, at solar noon, the roof appeared to float above the library's Great Reading Room while sunlight illuminated the tops of the support columns through circular skylights. After the sun passed overhead, shadows climbed the east wall like a reverse waterfall.

Watch a time lapse of the effect — and listen to the building's architect Will Bruder talk about the role of architecture in sustainability, especially in the desert — in the video below.

Science Sustainability