The new 30,500 sf Elmhurst Library building doubles the size of the current facility, the second busiest circulating library in the Queens Library network. It provides state-of-the-art technology and inviting, comfortable spaces with careful attention to material qualities, durability, and acoustics. Its animated circulation spaces engage landscape and city, promoting activity and encounter at multiple scales.The new building reconciles the large size of contemporary buildings, while engaging the small scale of historical structures from the early days of Queens villages with two glazed Reading Rooms. The Park Reading Room at the center of building and site visually joins park and garden, while the Broadway Reading Room overlooks the activity of the street, engaging passersby with artist Allan McCollum’s 20’ x 20’ “Shapes” wall installation.As a High Performance Pilot Project and Active Design Case Study, the building will achieve a LEED Silver rating. Project scope includes fully integrated millwork and FF&E.
Status: Built
Location: Elmhurst, NY, US
My Role: Architect