The roughly 9,100-square-foot structure “sets the stage for the higher quality, nice aesthetic that being developed in the community,” said Matt Vogel, principal architect at RIM Architects Alaska.

Crews broke ground on the $5 million project last May. It was completed in late April, said Matthew Hartman, project manager for contractor Pinnacle Construction. The new structure is located at 250 Egloff Drive and is adjacent to the Girdwood Fire Hall.

It is comprised of essentially three segments. The west wing houses the library itself, while the east wing contains the community room. The center section accommodates the lobby, restrooms and office space.

In keeping with the resort-like feel of the town, Vogel said the goal was to design a structure that would blend in with its surroundings. Soaring ceilings, ample natural light and exposed wood planks dominate the interior, while the exterior is a combination of wooden beams and natural stone accents. Community ski trails will lead directly to the library. A ski rack has even been installed outside the front entrance.

“We're excited about this facility,” Vogel said. “It meets the requirements of civic usage. A library should be celebrated by the community.”

The project presented its share of difficulties, said Grant Leader, of RISE Alaska, the project manager.

“It really turned out to be a beautiful building, but it was challenging getting all those little details to come together,” he said.

There was a lot of architectural and structural detail in the overall design, Leader said.

“We had open beams, huge trusses and a lot of stonemasonry work, and no plan is perfect - there are always issues that are going to come up.”

Some of those difficulties actually ended up being fortuitous. A lumber mill strike last summer meant the cedar the team had specified for the project was not readily available, so crews instead decided to use MaxiPlank, a lightweight fiber cement lap siding.

“It arrived pre-stained, and it stands up really well to the weather conditions in Girdwood,” Leader said. “We didn't know it going into it, but it actually ended up being a much better alternative.”

Most of the crew made the 45-minute between Girdwood and Anchorage every day, but Pinnacle made the decision to house its construction superintendent in an apartment in Girdwood. “It's a pretty demanding job, and it just made sense,” Hartman said.

Although Pinnacle has completed several notable commercial projects over the past 11 years - including the Army and Air Force Exchange Service building on Elmendorf Air Force Base and the soon-to-be completed Aleutian Housing Authority building in midtown Anchorage - this was the company's first library.

Vogel said the library is one of the first buildings developed in Girdwood since the Alyeska Prince Hotel was built.

“We followed similar aesthetic and design standards,” he said. “This really helps set the tone for community development.”