Recognized as the nation’s first public nature library, the Anythink Nature Library is attracting attention from across the country for its bold reimagining of the library experience. The goal is to help people find their place in nature. Beyond borrowing books, the Nature Library serves as a gateway to discovery, offering nature-focused resources, educational programming, and outdoor experiences. The result is a first-of-its-kind destination where books, nature, science, and community come together to inspire curiosity, connection, and lifelong learning.

Davis Partnership Architects’ design was inspired by the Environmental Kinship framework, inviting visitors to experience the natural world as an extension of themselves rather than as something separate to be studied, consumed, or controlled. The library emerged through a collaborative process involving community members, project stakeholders, and an Indigenous Advisory Council. Drawing inspiration from Colorado’s eastern plains, the architecture and landscape work together to create an immersive experience rooted in place. Native landscape restoration, community gardens, outdoor learning environments, and connections to the regional trail system help blur the boundary between building and landscape.

For Davis Partnership Architects, the project was an opportunity to transform a bold vision into a meaningful civic experience. More than a library, the Anythink Nature Library offers a new model for how communities can connect people with learning, wellness, and the outdoors. As visitors begin exploring the campus, gardens, and trails, the project stands as a testament to the power of design to foster curiosity, stewardship, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Davis Partnership Architects | Architecture + Interior Design
GH Phipps | General Contractor
Thornton Tomasetti | Structural Engineering
WSP | Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, LEED
THK Associates | Landscape Architecture
Group 14 Engineering | Commissioning + Biophilic Design
Incandescence Life Safety | Life Safety Consulting
Marx Okubo Associates | Accessibility
RDH Building Science | Building Envelope
Veneklasen Associates | Acoustical Engineering
Ware Malcomb | Civil Engineering