Principal David Wark was quoted in an April 2025 “Oregon ArtsWatch” article on the Astoria Public Library renovation. The article gives a history of original library architect Ebba Wicks Brown and her influence on Astoria’s downtown, describes the need for an updated library, and highlights Hennebery Eddy’s renovation design approach to the 1967 building. Read more about the library and David’s insights in the article.
“If Ebba Wicks Brown could see the renovations happening to her Astor Library building, the trailblazing architect — whose austere design defines much of downtown Astoria — likely would approve of the changes being made to her Brutalist masterpiece.”
— Oregon ArtsWatch
The renovation of Astoria Public Library will modernize the building to meet current and future library requirements — including additional meeting spaces, a media room, expanded programming spaces, a larger children’s area, and improved accessibility. The renovation design retains the building’s refined midcentury Brutalist/International style while introducing daylight, opening the library to the streetscape, and expanding into the basement to double the usable space.