Adams Street Library

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Adams Street Library, the Brooklyn\nPublic Library system\u2019s first new branch in more than two decades, was designed\nthrough extensive architect-led community outreach in several diverse Brooklyn\nneighborhoods and housing authority developments. With children at the center\nof the design intention, the library is rife with spaces for learning and\nfeatures technology and a wealth of programming opportunities for teens and\nyoung adults."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The branch is the first to serve the Brooklyn\ncommunities of Vinegar Hill, DUMBO, and Farragut and is an example of the\nlibrary system\u2019s goals to expand its network through modern and inspiring\nspaces. DUMBO has shifted from a formerly industrial area to a much more\naffluent residential area, and it was critical that the marginalized\ncommunities surrounding the neighborhood were engaged in the planning process.\nIn addition, the team\u2019s preservation and reuse of the historic building have\nallowed the library system to explore new ways to advance its mission."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The library is situated beneath the\nManhattan Bridge in Brooklyn\u2019s DUMBO Historic District, housed in an industrial\nbuilding dating to 1901. Through the years, the building has served a wide\nvariety of purposes, from a torpedo factory to a recycling facility. Today, the\nbuilding is a mix of residential apartments and commercial spaces with the\nlibrary occupying the ground floor. The team found inspiration in the\nbuilding\u2019s layered history and embraced the dialogue between old and new, which\ncan be found along the patinaed brick perimeter walls that contrast with a\nseries of pixelated murals that depict natural scenes from around the\nneighborhood. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Fifteen-foot windows surround the\nlibrary, supporting a series of open spaces that connect to a porous pavilion\nand elevated children\u2019s area. Clad in maple-veneered MDF that was CNC-milled\nwith a custom pattern, the pavilion offers niches for stroller parking and book\nstorage in its large and curvy openings. The raised section allows the\nlibrary\u2019s young patrons to gaze across the main reading room at views of\nManhattan\u2019s skyline, the East River, and Main Street Park. Throughout, the\ninterior\u2019s cheerful orange tones and spaces for story time and play reinforce who\nthe library was designed for. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The library also includes two generous\nmultipurpose spaces with stackable chairs, foldable tables, whiteboards, and a\nkitchenette, offering much-needed space for community use. Readily accessible\ntechnology includes Wi-Fi throughout and hard-wired charging and power capabilities\nbuilt into the reading tables. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"On the street, the library calls to its\npatrons through a super-graphic sign that reads \u201cLIBRARY\u201d in bold white\nlettering. The sign was approved by the New York City Landmarks Preservation\nCommission, which applauded the team for its creative reference to the historic\nhand-painted signs found in the neighborhood. It is visible from across the\nEast River, inviting patrons citywide to access this vital amenity. "]]]]}