In designing his hometown library, Jonathan Moody found himself following in the footsteps of his father.

In designing his hometown library, Jonathan Moody found himself following in the footsteps of his father.

Photos: Moody Nolan. Illustration: Stephanie Davidson

Design

Father-and-Son Architects Leave MultigenerationalĀ Marks on a Columbus Library

More than 30 years after architect Curtis Moody designed Karl Road Branch Library, his son Jonathan planned its replacement. 

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When Curtis Moody designed his first library for Columbus, Ohio, in the 1980s, he had shopping on his mind. The architect was fascinated by the shopping malls popping up all around the country, and his Karl Road Branch Library, which opened in 1988, reflects the distinctive design appeal of these commercial cathedrals during their heyday. With its long central corridor, curving skylight along the ceiling and planters for centerpieces, the library had the inviting appeal of a retail destination.