The new Adams Street Library is the Brooklyn Public Library’s first new branch to open in more than twenty years. Extensive, architect-led community outreach within neighboring Dumbo, Vinegar Hill, and the Farragut Houses indicated that children’s spaces and programming was lacking – and important — to residents across the diverse neighborhoods. The design therefore puts children at its center, the envelope incorporating spaces for learning activities, story time, books, reading and views out to Brooklyn Bridge Park. The library also offers new collections, technology and extensive programming for teens and young adults in a dedicated teens area.
Two large, flexible multipurpose spaces with stackable chairs and foldable tables, whiteboards and a kitchenette provide much-needed space for community gathering and meeting. Technology is readily accessible to patrons, with free Wi-Fi throughout, hard-wired charging and power built into the reading tables, and projection capability in the large community room. The library also has generous spaces for staff and public, gender-inclusive restrooms
Status: Built
Location: Brooklyn, NY, US
Firm Role: Architect
Additional Credits: Principals:
Amale Andraos + Dan Wood
Project Architect:
Evgeniya Plotnikova, Troy Lacombe
Design Lead:
Wuyahuang Li
Team:
Zahid Ajam, Nevin Blum, Ania Yee-Boguinskaia, Giorgia Cedro, Leslie Dougrou, Kelly Lee
Structural:
LERA
MEP:
DOSE Engineering
Lighting:
Tillotson Design Associates
Graphics:
Linked By Air
Contractor:
Shawmut Design & Construction
Code:
CCBS Consultants
AV/IT:
Cerami
Cost:
Costrak Consulting
Photography:
Bruce Damonte
Awards:
AIA NY Awards, Honor in Interior Architecture, 2023
AIA/ALA National Library Award, 2022
MASterworks Award—Best Adaptive Reuse, Municipal Arts, 2022
NYCxDesign Institutional Interior Award, 2022
ENR NY Best Project—Cultural, 2022