Jackie and Harold Spielman Children's Library at Port Washington Public Library in New York by LEE H. SKOLNICK ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP

Article source: LEE H. SKOLNICK ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP

SKOLNICK Architecture + Design Partnership was engaged to provide Interpretive Planning, Interior Architectural Design, and Exhibit and Graphic Design services for the complete renovation and re-envisioning of the Jackie and Harold Spielman Children’s Library, at Port Washington Public Library which serves children from birth to ‘tweens. With a “Tree of Knowledge” theme based on developmental principles in learning behavior, the new children’s library upgrade is designed to better serve the youngest Port Washington residents and their families. The focal point of the design incorporates an over-arching tree motif and a vibrantly colored, leaf-inspired wayfinding system that utilizes colorful, environmental graphics on the walls and floors and is designed to assist young visitors in self-guided discovery and learning.

Entry: The colorful, leaf-inspired wayfinding system begins at the Library’s entryway, Image Courtesy © Jonathan Wallen

• Architects: LEE H. SKOLNICK ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP
• Project: Jackie and Harold Spielman Children's Library at Port Washington Public Library
• Location: Port Washington, New York, USA
• Photography: Jonathan Wallen, Ola Wilk/Wilk Marketing Communications
• Software used: Autocad, SketchUp

Circulation desk: A stylized “Tree of Knowledge” motif anchors the Library’s circulation desk, Image Courtesy © Jonathan Wallen

Each leaf displays an interpretive, inspirational word which represents the theme of its area: “Play” (Early Childhood Area), “Imagine” (Story Corner for readings and presentations), “Think” (Quiet Study), “Create” (Maker’s Space/Workshop room), “Connect” (Learning Commons Media Area). The space includes environmentally friendly features such as bamboo flooring, energy efficient lighting, and sustainable finishes and also boasts a 3,150 sf garden/outdoor play area. The Library also features hands-on and media interactives designed to enhance the informal learning experience, similar to experiences found in Children’s Museums. These include a large touchscreen interactive which allows children to create fractals and other designs and hands-on interactives for younger patrons including custom busy boxes, an interactive magnetic wall map of Port Washington, and “discovery portals” embedded in the floor that display insects and invertebrates that live underground. The ‘tweens area incorporates custom window seat “listening stations” where visitors can listen to different genres of music, spoken word poetry, and audiobooks. Other unique elements of the design include a Media Table, a Parents’ Lounge, and a 3-tiered Reading Nook. The overall experience of the newly re-visioned Children’s Library is one of welcome, whimsy, discovery, and a celebration of the joy of learning.

Touchscreen: An interactive digital touchscreen greets young viewers as they enter the Library, inviting them to draw fractals and other designs with their hands, Image Courtesy © Jonathan Wallen

Early Childhood: “Discovery Portals” embedded in the floor of the Early Childhood area display local coastal area insects and invertebrates, Image Courtesy © Jonathan Wallen

Tree: Each branch of the “Tree of Knowledge” installation leads children to one of the main functional areas of the Library, Image Courtesy © Jonathan Wallen

Display Case: A custom display case acts as a window into the Library’s Makerspace and is a display area for Makerspace books and creations, Image Courtesy © Ola Wilk/Wilk Marketing Communications

Quiet Study: The Quiet Study Area, a space for focused work, takes advantage of views into the adjacent Children's Garden, Image Courtesy © Ola Wilk/Wilk Marketing Communications

Tween Area: Natural light enters the space through floor to ceiling windows in the Tween area, Image Courtesy © Ola Wilk/Wilk Marketing Communications

Seating: Custom window seat “listening stations” allow children and tweens to connect devices and listen to music and audiobooks, Image Courtesy © Jonathan Wallen

Reading Nook: The Library’s Reading Nook offers tiered and window seating options for young patrons, Image Courtesy © Jonathan Wallen

Story Corner: The new Story Corner area offers children and families story hours, demonstrations, and children’s shows, Image Courtesy © Jonathan Wallen

Makerspace: The new Makerspace is a place where children can create, tinker, and explore through a variety of tools and materials, Image Courtesy © Ola Wilk/Wilk Marketing Communications

Circulation-desk, Image Courtesy © LEE H. SKOLNICK ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP

Quiet-study, Image Courtesy © LEE H. SKOLNICK ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP

Tweens-area, Image Courtesy © LEE H. SKOLNICK ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP

Early-childhood, Image Courtesy © LEE H. SKOLNICK ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP

Reading-nook, Image Courtesy © LEE H. SKOLNICK ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP

East-elevation, Image Courtesy © LEE H. SKOLNICK ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP

North-elevation, Image Courtesy © LEE H. SKOLNICK ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP

South-elevation, Image Courtesy © LEE H. SKOLNICK ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP

Floorplan, Image Courtesy © LEE H. SKOLNICK ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP

Tags: New York, USA

Categories: Autocad, Interiors, Library, SketchUp

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