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Hunts Point Branch

New York Public Library


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



Exterior Photograph
Exterior Photograph


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


Project Status
Ongoing

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New York Public Library ︎︎︎ 
Located in the Bronx, the Hunts Point Branch, designed by Carrere and Hastings in 1927, is a beautiful example of the refined neoclassical approach. The parti is simple yet effective, two grand reading rooms stacked on top of each other with ancillary spaced moved to the back of the site. The team at Mitchell Giurgola was tasked with restoring the existing facade including window replacement, a new ADA compliant entrance ramp, and repairing and repointing of the brick facade. 
On the inside, new white oak floors will be complimented with surrounding custom white oak bookshelves, built in window benches, custom white oak chairs and reading tables, and black terrazzo stairs. Once completed, the much needed overhaul will offer state of the art technological resources, meeting spaces, and beautiful reading rooms for Adults, Teens and Children, all in a clean and contemporary design that pays homage to the century old library traditions. 
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)




Southern Boulevard Elevation - Existing
Southern Boulevard Elevation - Existing
Tiffany Street Elevation - Existing
Tiffany Street Elevation - Existing


Southern Boulevard Elevation - Restored
Southern Boulevard Elevation - Restored


The new Southern Boulevard Elevation reflects a return to the historic double hung wood windows and features a new limestone entrance ramp. The reading room employs traditional wood shelving wrapping the room with huge new windows to match the original. The space is filled with a thoughtful mixture of computer workstations, long communal tables, and clusters of lounge chairs. A new glass vestibule is introduced at the entrance, simple in form so as to not detract from the grand volume of the room.


Interior Perspective - Courtesy of Mitchell Giurgola Architects
Interior Perspective - Courtesy of Mitchell Giurgola Architects







Library Projects

Architect, Artist, Writer


Architect, Artist, Writer