Batesville, Indiana has a long history of making—from the factories that shaped its downtown to the local businesses and craftspeople that continue that tradition today. The new Arts & Innovation Hub builds on that identity while addressing a larger community need. Located just outside downtown, the existing mid-century modern library was well-used but lacked space for collaboration, flexible meetings, outdoor programming, and community events.
City Conscious
The Library acquired property across the street and worked with the City to combine two blocks, creating an expanded library campus and a new connection to downtown. Our team worked along side the library with a variety of local stakeholders, predominately the Batesville Area Arts Council, to ensure these spaces serve the community wholistically.
The 8,300-square-foot Arts & Innovation Hub provides flexible spaces for gathering, collaboration, and creativity. Group meeting rooms, an Innovation Studio, and a 200-person Event Room are connected by a community lounge designed for both casual interaction and remote work. Large doors open the Event Room directly onto Library Alley, a new pedestrian plaza that provides space for concerts, festivals, and other community events.
The plaza can operate independently through a dedicated restroom facility, allowing it to remain active beyond the Library’s regular hours. Together, the new building and plaza create a much-needed public gathering space and a more visible gateway into downtown.
The building’s scale and materials respond to the surrounding downtown, while brick detailing, industrial-inspired framing, and a sawtooth-inspired roof reference the town’s historic factories.
