Architecture / Immersive Environments

Tomball Elementary School / Library Renovation

Tomball, Texas2024 · Constructed

Library rendering with a balloon-shaped ceiling feature, curved bookshelves, colorful seating, and a sky mural. — Rendering: a reading landscape beneath a sculptural balloon canopy.

Library rendering showing the circulation desk, kite graphics, and bookshelves beneath a blue sky mural. — Rendering: thematic graphics connect the circulation desk and shelving.

Rendering of library tables and window-side seating beneath suspended blue and yellow ceiling panels. — Rendering: places for group learning and individual reading.

Rendering of bookshelves with purple reading niches, a blue desk, and circular ceiling lights. — Rendering: reading niches are integrated into the book stacks.

Overhead library rendering with curved book stacks, seating, and a central balloon-inspired ceiling feature. — Rendering: an overall view of the library’s organization.

Completed library photographed beneath the sculptural balloon canopy, with curved book stacks and colorful stools. — Completed library: the central canopy and reading area.

Completed library photograph showing curved bookshelves beneath the timber-colored balloon canopy. — Completed library: curved shelves frame the central reading space.

A library renovation that makes reading feel like an invitation to explore. A balloon-inspired ceiling feature, sky imagery, curved bookshelves, and a range of reading spaces give the room a shared thematic identity.

My contribution

I was the design lead for the library renovation, responsible for thematic design and coordination. My work connected the central ceiling feature, graphics, shelving, and reading areas into a cohesive environment for the completed 2024 project.

How can a school library make curiosity visible?

Interactive construction study

Inside the balloon.

A place to read. A canopy of light.
Explore the layers that bring the idea to life.

Preparing the balloon…

Assembled featureDrag to orbit · Scroll to zoom

Select a component to learn how it fits. Drag the model to look above or below the canopy.

18′ upper diameter · 12′ lower diameter · 10′ shell height

About this construction study

Based on the supplied balloon and library SketchUp models, project renderings, and KMDI production drawings 832, revision 2, June 4, 2024. The shell, suspension, concealed seams, and removable perimeter detail follow sheets A1–A5. Redline notes identify a solid center panel for adhered light paper. Lighting output, undisclosed internal member sizes, fastener geometry, and separation distances are illustrative; this is an explanation of assembly, not a fabrication or installation sequence.

The bench bottoms are trimmed upward 1′8″, with their original top elevations retained. The supplied SketchUp originals are preserved.

A shared theme overhead

The balloon-inspired canopy creates a recognizable center for the library. Sky and kite imagery continue around the room, while suspended blue and yellow panels extend the theme across the ceiling.

Different ways to settle into a book

Curved book stacks, inset reading niches, tables, and soft seating offer places to read alone or gather together. The thematic design brings these different settings into one room without making them all feel the same.

The completed library

Photographs of the constructed space show the central canopy and curved shelving brought into the finished library. Photography by a PBK team member.

Collaboration & credits

Michael Zepeda — Design Lead; thematic design and coordination.
Architecture and project team: PBK.
Completed-space photography: PBK team member.

Image credits

Completed library: the central canopy and reading area. — Photography: PBK team member.
Completed library: curved shelves frame the central reading space. — Photography: PBK team member.

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