"Oasis" Library & Guest House

Champaign, Illinois

Oasis is located at the southernmost corner of a large wooded residential property that abuts fields of corn and soybean. It is separated from the principal residence by Saline Creek, which flows northeast to southwest across the site.

The linear composition begins as an entry at the north edge of the creek. An open-air pavilion marks the north end of the covered footbridge that spans the creek. The south end of the footbridge leads to a large deck, carefully shaped to avoid removing the existing trees.

The book-lined interior spaces are shaped to create flexible areas for study, sleep, meetings, etc. These spaces are arranged linearly on a single level, perched on concrete piers above the flood plane.