ArchShowcase 
Sanjay Gangal
Sanjay Gangal is the President of IBSystems, the parent company of AECCafe.com, MCADCafe, EDACafe.Com, GISCafe.Com, and ShareCG.Com. DC Public Library – West End Branch in Washington DC by CORE architecture + designJuly 4th, 2019 by Sanjay Gangal
Article source: CORE architecture + design The new West End branch of the DC Public Library (Library) is a 20,100 SF, LEED Gold-designed community-gathering space. This project is the first of its kind for the Library: a joint public-private venture for developing the library space within a tenant space shell rather than a stand-alone building. Creating an environment that was seamlessly integrated and harmonized with the base building design, while celebrating the Library's forward-thinking approach to its facilities’ design and multitude of programmatic offerings and services for the community, was the main focus of the joint effort between the Library, EastBanc, Inc., and the design team.  Image Courtesy © Ron Ngiam
 Image Courtesy © Ron Ngiam The library interior is an airy, bright, and inspiring modern space with soaring angled columns. Its design incorporates clearly defined areas for adults, children, and teens. The adult collection area features warm color tones (reds, oranges, and yellows) while the distinctive pavilion in the children’s area, accentuated by cooler blue, green, and magenta color tones, defines the space and creates a sense of warmth and scale with the wood structure that wraps around it. The teen area is separated by lower book stacks and incorporates a technology bar and study tables. The community’s diversity and history are highlighted by custom artwork from local artists Adrienne Gaither and Nekisha Durrett for the murals above the main reading room, a 200-foot long tapestry, and within the children’s area. Other programmatic elements include a 100-person after-hours public meeting room to serve the community, a conference room, individual study rooms, and an open connection to an adjacent café.  Image Courtesy © Ron Ngiam  Image Courtesy © Ron Ngiam CORE worked closely with the client, developer, and the community to deliver a space that represents a unique enhancement to the neighborhood and a positive, inspiring amenity to its patrons. The interior design creates a visual and personal connection to both the new building and the surrounding neighborhood. Taking advantage of the large windows for great street visibility and using color, texture, lighting, and form at the interior, the design provides inspiring spaces with intuitive human connections and transitions from area to area. The adult section located under the mezzanine offers an intimate private feeling, while the main reading tables are placed within the 17-foot high-ceilinged space reminiscent of the grand reading rooms of historic libraries. Open sightlines provide for intuitive way finding and easy staff supervision. Vivid accents throughout the space provide for a bright, fresh, and welcoming atmosphere and create an inspiring spatial and visual journey for library patrons. Neutral tones appear in the terrazzo tile and carpet tile flooring, the perforated aluminum tile ceiling, and a large metal-mesh curtain that divides the café from the library. Perforated wood panels create warmth and deliver keen acoustics. The custom glass frit on the library’s exterior provides passive sun control along the south façade while creating an ethereal quality and soft texture to this prominent storefront.  Image Courtesy © Ron Ngiam  Image Courtesy © Ron Ngiam  Image Courtesy © Ron Ngiam  Image Courtesy © Ron Ngiam  Image Courtesy © Ron Ngiam  Image Courtesy © Ron Ngiam  Image Courtesy © CORE architecture + design
Contact CORE architecture + design
Tags: USA, Washington |
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
|
|||||
email
Facebook
Twitter
RSS Feed
