Woburn Public Library

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Adding an additional 30,500 square feet to the historic Woburn,\nMassachusetts, public library, this simple but elegant contemporary expansion\nenhances rather than competes with the original design. Designed by Henry\nHobson Richardson in 1876, the library has long occupied an elevated site at the\ncenter of Woburn and has been widely celebrated for its architectural majesty.\nThe new addition marries past and present to shape a 21st-century library ready\nto serve a growing community. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"At 17,400 square feet, the original library, despite several\nprogrammatic expansions throughout its 140-year history, could no longer\naccommodate Woburn\u2019s needs. In 2014, after four rounds of applications across 20\nyears, the state\u2019s board of library commissioners approved funding for an addition\nthat would bring the library into the modern age."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The original design\u2019s cultural and historical significance were both\nthe building\u2019s greatest asset and challenge. The library is notably more ornate\nthan Richardson\u2019s later work, and the team needed to carefully navigate its\nprofuse decorative expression to attach the addition\u2019s roof, floors, and walls with\nminimal impact. Through collaborations with Woburn\u2019s leaders, library staff,\nand patrons, the design team opted for transparency and subtle gestures to\namplify the original library\u2019s beauty. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The ultimate solution was a high spatial volume encased in glass,\nwhich minimizes intersections with the existing facade but allows light that highlights\nthe architectural details. A sensitive structural intervention allows new\npassageways through the north sandstone wall to maintain spatial continuity and\ncirculation between new and old. The spatial organization also enhances\nsightlines that support library staff in maintaining a secure environment,\nwhile technology, such as self-checkout stations and automated book sorting,\nallows librarians to focus more on programing and patron engagement. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Renovating and restoring Richardson\u2019s library to its original state\nwhile also upgrading its aged systems to current standards was a critical\nobjective of the project. The new addition is LEED Gold certified, and its\nexterior glazing system draws in ample daylight while reducing solar heat gain.\nIts rainscreen, comprising large-format stone panels, is a nod to the original\nlibrary\u2019s bearing stones with open joints that accentuate the addition\u2019s modern\ntechnology. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Inclusive and efficient,\nthe addition has revived the library\u2019s status as a vibrant community center.\nIts flexible spaces accommodate future growth and shifting community needs,\nwhile its improved accessibility creates a welcoming learning environment for\nall. "]]]]}