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Library Buildings around the World

Library Buildings around the World

Library Buildings around the World

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Rochdale Village <strong>Library</strong> is a single story, 7.500 sqf. Building constructed in 1969. Queens <strong>Library</strong> is enlarging <strong>the</strong> existing Adult<br />

Learning Center with new 1.700 sqf. Addition to provide classroom space, a staff room, individual learning stations, and storage.<br />

The site is on <strong>the</strong> periphery of RochdaleVillage along 137 th Avenue in Jamaica. The 1969 existing building is “y” shaped, with a<br />

hipped Howard Johnson-styled roof with a spire in <strong>the</strong> center. Our trapezoidal shaped addition extends in plan <strong>the</strong> area of <strong>the</strong><br />

existing ALC to <strong>the</strong> east and north up to <strong>the</strong>se lot lines. A lower-roofed glazed “tube” connects <strong>the</strong> new addition to <strong>the</strong> exiating<br />

building. The addition is treated as a “site wall” forming an enclosure to <strong>the</strong> site on <strong>the</strong> east. The wall is clad in Cor-Ten (wea<strong>the</strong>ring)<br />

steel plates, hung from <strong>the</strong> structural wall. The plates are arranged in a staggered pattern, with “slot” glazed openings placed within<br />

<strong>the</strong> pattern to reinforce points in <strong>the</strong> plan and to provide “peek-a-boo” views from <strong>the</strong> inside to <strong>the</strong> outside. A continuous skylight<br />

runs along <strong>the</strong> east side of <strong>the</strong> new roof to provide daylight into <strong>the</strong> learning center. A planter is located on <strong>the</strong> roof along this east<br />

side with plants spilling over and softening <strong>the</strong> east wall. The existing rear yard has several mature trees. The new addition looks out<br />

on (to <strong>the</strong> west) and enlivens this yard, giving it a new garden identity. A new cast-in-place concrete wall is located on <strong>the</strong> north<br />

property line to enclose and define this garden. (Prendergast)<br />

Kingsbridge Branch <strong>Library</strong>, New York (Bronx), NY – USA 2011<br />

$ 4.200.000<br />

Awards:<br />

NYC Art Commission for Excellence in Design 2005<br />

The design for <strong>the</strong> new Kingsbridge Branch <strong>Library</strong> is a response to both <strong>the</strong> program and <strong>the</strong> unique features of <strong>the</strong> site. Located at<br />

<strong>the</strong> northwest corner of Corlear Avenue and West 231 st Street, <strong>the</strong> site is 12 feet below street level. Heavy stone retaining walls define<br />

<strong>the</strong> east and south sides of <strong>the</strong> side, while <strong>the</strong> north side is level with <strong>the</strong> lower floor of <strong>the</strong> adjacent synagogue. The west side<br />

retaining wall abuts a commercial property. The library will provide approximately 12.000 sqf. on two levels. The building is set<br />

back about 14 feet from <strong>the</strong> east and south street lines creating a sunken courtyard defined by <strong>the</strong> new building and <strong>the</strong> field stone<br />

retaining walls. The library is reached by a bridge spanning this garden. To maximize natural light and to bring daylight to <strong>the</strong><br />

lower level, our scheme proposes a 2-story 25´high glass window wall facing south and east. Sun is controlled by an external metal<br />

brise-soleil. The upper floor is set back about 8´from this wall, creating a stwo-story atrium. The main stair is located in this space,<br />

providing a pivotal point between <strong>the</strong> two levels. The elevator tower is incorporated into <strong>the</strong> entry bridge and vestibule creating a<br />

campanile-like element in <strong>the</strong> complex. The Community Room is expressed as a curved-face metal-clad rhomboid which anchors <strong>the</strong><br />

corner and frames <strong>the</strong> primary glazed façade. The building also features a Green Roof, which provides not only heavy insulation for<br />

energy conservation to ease <strong>the</strong> load on <strong>the</strong> borough´s overtaxed storm sewer system. (Prendergast)<br />

Sedgwick Branch <strong>Library</strong> Addition, New York, NY (Bronx) – USA 2002<br />

$ 1.600.000<br />

Awards:<br />

Architectural Record Magazine 2005,6<br />

The Sedgwick neighborhood in <strong>the</strong> Bronx is an area in transition. Housing is being rehabilitated while University Avenue (Martin<br />

Lu<strong>the</strong>r KingJr. Boulevard) has been developed with a new park-like median strip. Businesses along <strong>the</strong> boulevard are also starting<br />

to thrive. The new branch library replaces a small existing facility and represents an important step in <strong>the</strong> neighborhood<br />

revilitalization. The proposed library offers <strong>the</strong> community reading and reference material for adults and children, while als<br />

providing space for community activities. The site is triangular, at <strong>the</strong> corner of University and 176 th Street. The design expresses <strong>the</strong><br />

two main functions. The main reading areas are housed in a long rectangular volume fronting University Avenue. A long gallery<br />

faces <strong>the</strong> exterior plaza to <strong>the</strong> north and serves as a main circulation spine. Adjoining this volume is a conically-shaped stainless<br />

steel-clad multipurpose room housing community activities. The cone shape establishes <strong>the</strong> library as <strong>the</strong> focal point or beacon to <strong>the</strong><br />

neighborhood. The site has been designed by artist Sandy Gellis. A series of stepped contour lines is punctuated by etched steel<br />

shafts, tipped with phosphorescent caps (which glow at night), in <strong>the</strong> pattern of <strong>the</strong> Signa Galaxy. Rock formations evocative of <strong>the</strong><br />

native stone of <strong>the</strong> area form a counterpoint to <strong>the</strong> steps. In 1994, <strong>the</strong> new Sedgwick Branch <strong>Library</strong> building that our office<br />

designed for The New York Public <strong>Library</strong> opened to <strong>the</strong> public. The design was distinguished by a conical-shaped metal-clad<br />

community room and an environmental art exterior court design by artist Sandy Gellis The building won acclaim for its innovative<br />

design, and was featured on <strong>the</strong> cover of Architectural Record Magazine. In 1998, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Library</strong> returned to Predergast Laurel<br />

Architects to design an addition to <strong>the</strong> building that would double <strong>the</strong> program capacity to accomodate nighborhood demand. The<br />

new program required <strong>the</strong> addition of a second story, thus separating and expanding <strong>the</strong> adult and children´s reading areas. The<br />

scheme also provides additional staff offices, a new alevator, and a skylit public stair. A new steel-framed second story was built on<br />

top of <strong>the</strong> existing masonry first floor. The second floor is clad with cement panels on ligtweight metal stud construction. A new steel<br />

bow-string truss canopy highlights <strong>the</strong> main entrance on University Avenue. A series of triangular-shaped monitor skylights were<br />

installed to illuminate <strong>the</strong> second floor reading room. The building has been completely upgrated with new finishes, lighting and<br />

furniture. The design expressed both <strong>the</strong> library and commumnity functions. (Predergast)<br />

South Beach Branch <strong>Library</strong>, New York, NY (Staten Island) – USA 2001<br />

$ 400.000<br />

The New York Public <strong>Library</strong>´s South Beach Branch in Staten Island is one of <strong>the</strong> system´s newer facilities. The library leased space<br />

a concrete block commercial storefront facing Robin Roaed. This building houses small neighborhood branch for adults and<br />

children. Our design solution left <strong>the</strong> original building structure exposed, thus heeding <strong>the</strong> budget and making a virtue of necessity.<br />

The steel roof joists and block wall were blended with new ductwork and lighting carefully woven into <strong>the</strong> existing fabric. A new<br />

vestibule was created to define <strong>the</strong> entrance. The central feature of <strong>the</strong> scheme is <strong>the</strong> main circulation desk. The desk includes<br />

sloping galvanized steel-clad wall intersected by an elliptically shaped overhead grid and a syn<strong>the</strong>tic stone counter. The materials<br />

used throughout are industrial grade, including MDF paneling, maple plywood window boxes and exposed steel. Color is used to<br />

enhance <strong>the</strong> spatial organization, including <strong>the</strong> areas surrounding <strong>the</strong> circulation desk and children´s storytelling. (Prendergast)<br />

Brooklyn Heights Branch <strong>Library</strong>, New York, NY – USA 1993<br />

$ 4.500.000<br />

he Brooklyn Heights Branch of <strong>the</strong> Brooklyn Public <strong>Library</strong> houses two libraries in one: <strong>the</strong> Buisiness <strong>Library</strong> and <strong>the</strong> Brooklyn<br />

Heights Branch. The building was built in 1961 with two floors of approximately 30.000 sqf. The project involved <strong>the</strong> complete<br />

interior renovation of <strong>the</strong> building, including its reading rooms, staff facilities, entries and service spaces. The addition of two new<br />

wings has expanded <strong>the</strong> children´s and adult reading rooms. In addition, a new auditorium wes incorporated into <strong>the</strong> first floor. The<br />

design seeks to enhance <strong>the</strong> building´s public image within Brooklyn´s Civic Cnter. The new addition faces <strong>the</strong> intersection of Tillary<br />

and Fulton Streets. A new curved facade faces north with a small park space completing <strong>the</strong> corner, thus helping to define and<br />

punctuate this intersection. The original materials, limestone and granite, have been chosen for <strong>the</strong> addition, however, <strong>the</strong>y are used<br />

in a more articulated way. The interior is redesigned to rationalize <strong>the</strong> layout, making reading materials more accessible. The<br />

Business <strong>Library</strong>´s design addresses <strong>the</strong> newer forms of information retrieval annd accommodates new microfiche and microfilm<br />

statons. (Predergast)<br />

161

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