Designed by Marpillero Pollak Architects and developed by Stalco Construction, the $27.8 million 30,000 square feet Queens library will support education, job growth, and intellectual development.
Upon completion, the new three-storey library will feature numerous environmentally responsible materials and systems, green roofs, and energy-saving engineering solutions. It is said to be one of the first projects to incorporate New York City’s new Active Design Guidelines, a set of architectural principles that encourage building tenants and visitors to engage in a physical activity.
Doubling the size of the former library, the new Queens Library at Elmhurst will feature four levels for customer service with elevator access to all levels. It will include separate library areas for adults, children and teens; a large 32-computer Cyber Center for customer use; a new Adult Learner Center; an interior reading atrium and front and rear community gardens. Memory features will preserve the library’s legacy in the community.
The library will feature a new façade made of original bricks. The nostalgic Children’s Room fireplace mantle will be relocated to the new building.
Acknowledging the long history of the library, it will feature a 1906 Memory Wall.
Based on three concepts: transparency, identity and subtle differences within a community, and ‘spine’, the new library has been designed with architectural details.
Focusing on the visibility of the inner works of the new library both in its interiors and from the street vantage point, the library features two 25 feett high structural glass cubes, which are embedded in the building’s terracotta façade.
The Broadway cube, the most striking feature of the library’s exterior, will showcase artist Allan McCollum’s large installation titled “Shapes”, which consists of a series of artworks including individual, unique, abstract shapes, symbolizing the concept of individuals with differences coming together as a community, the second theme of the architectural design. In addition to the main “Shapes” project, smaller installations, providing clues about the shapes’ assembly, will be present in the main stairwell and elevators.
The urban spine concept has been developed as a concrete pathway that spans from the exterior sidewalk to become the main avenue of the library’s main floor in a consistent manner, with points of interest located along the way, including displays of new arrivals, a ‘newsstand’ with newspapers in many languages, and a history exhibition, as well as a monumental open ‘book’ stair, inviting patrons to ascend to the second floor of the library.
The spine integrates exterior and interior of the library and leads visitors of all ages on the tour of exploration, as well as towards their various destinations: the library’s diverse program spaces, whose identities are conveyed through variously colored portals.
Upon completion, the new library will house an entry plaza, decorative wall commemorating the original library building, lobby with new arrivals display, Park Reading Room, Broadway Reading Room, teen space, children’s library, adult learning center and classrooms, two stairs, main circulation spine, Carnegie Room, and staff break room.
Visually connecting to the adjacent park and garden, the Park Reading Room will be located at the center of the building. The Broadway Reading Room will overlook the street and feature artist Allan McCollum’s 20’ x 20’ “Shapes” wall installation.
The project includes the demolition of the pre-existing structure and construction of the library building with an adjacent community park and learning garden.The new branch will feature a concrete foundation, steel frame structural system, terracotta-clad façade with metal bands, and two expansive glass cube spaces. The structural and architectural designs allow for a potential future expansion.
The building’s structural system consists of a steel frame above the concrete foundation. The foundation walls feature beam pockets with imbedded steel plates and anchor bolts pockets for steel columns.
In addition to general contractor Stalco Construction, Inc. the project team includes structural engineer Severud Associates, MEP engineer ads Engineers, lighting designer See/Arch, and landscape architect Wallace Roberts & Todd.
The new library will feature six different roof systems, including extensive and semi-intensive roofs with vegetation. The library is expected to open in 2014.
