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Melrose Branch

New York Public Library


Mitchell Giurgola Architects (2016-2019)
Bronx, New York



Exterior Rendering
Exterior Rendering


Commission: to design an addition and renovation of a branch of the New York Public Library


Project Status
Ongoing

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New York Public Library ︎︎︎
The Melrose Branch, originally built in 1914 and designed by Carrere and Hastings, suffered from a severe fire in 1959 that burned the upper floors. Surviving until now with only modest reconstruction and repairs, this branch was overdue for a major redesign.
Similar to how the punched windows below continue in a regular pattern across the facade, the newly proposed window wall rhythmically runs across the street facades. It is capped with a deep aluminum fascia above to create a modern-day cornice.   
Responsibility
  • Project Designer
  • Schematic Design through Construction Documents


Design Team
Architect
  • Mitchell Giurgola Architects
Consultants
  • Superstructures (Restoration)
  • LERA (Structural)
  • JFK&M (MEP)
  • Cerami (AV/IT)
  • Cline Bettridge Bernstein (Lighting)
  • Conversano (Code)
  • IROS (Elevator)




162nd Street Elevation Photograph - Existing Morris Avenue Elevation Photograph - Existing 162nd Street Elevation Rendering - Addition Morris Avenue Elevation Rendering - Addition


The existing condition needed another floor addition not only to satisfy growing programmatic requirements, but also to restore the proportions of the building closer to the balance and composition that the original neoclassical design had. 
Mullion caps extend deep outside the glass, further accentuated at the round internal columns that coincide with the window spacing below. The existing punched windows are replaced with large clean windowpanes with minimal mullions.


162nd Street Elevation Drawing - Existing 162nd Street Elevation Drawing - Additon Morris Avenue Elevation Drawing - Existing Morris Avenue Elevation Drawing - Addition


Section Perspective Perspective from East


First Floor Second Floor Third Floor


The lower two floors housing the Adult and Teen reading rooms follow the NYPL Carnegie Design Standards developed by Mitchell Giurgola and used on the Hunts Point Branch, including white oak floors and custom books cases with built in benches at windows. The spaces are furnished with custom white oak reading tables and chairs. A three-story steel and black terrazzo stair connects the main reading rooms in a simple white volume punctured by vertical strip LED lights to accentuate the lofty space.



Children’s Room Interior Perspective


Early in the design process, the top floor reading room was reserved as the children’s floor to offer abundant natural light and the opportunity for lower sills to see out of.  The children’s reading room also features a wood slat ceiling to convey the warm wooden interiors to the street.






Library Projects

Architect, Artist, Writer


Architect, Artist, Writer