Introduction
It is a striking expression of the continuing effort to shake the dust off of the city’s aging libraries and recast them as lively communal hubs, and should go far in bolstering the civic image of Queens…. Mr. Holl’s design is not about escaping this world but transforming it into something more poetic…. The views aren’t just pretty; they remind us that the intellectual exchange of a library is part of a bigger collective enterprise. -Nicolai Ouroussoff, New York Times.
Reason to Be Selected
At night the glowing presence of the new library along the waterfront joins the Pepsi sign and the “Long Island” sign at the old Gantry to become a beacon and icon for this new community place.
Highlights:
Located on a prominent site along the East River, the design for the 21,000 square foot Queens Library at Hunters Point takes inspiration from the views of Manhattan and Roosevelt Island.Details
Large shaped openings in this aluminum facade allow users to great views toward the city as they move up a series of perimeter stairs. The program’s separation into children’s area, teen area and adult area can be read in the carved cuts of the east face of the building, one façade opening for each area.
Recommended
This prominent building on the riverfront is not only a library; it will be the neighborhood’s primary community space, a place where students have access to computers, young families engage in educational programs, residents can learn the English language, and all can enjoy lectures and cultural events.
Yet the programmatic divisions are fluid. The building section of the new library is open and flowing, while the plan is compact, allowing for the most energy-efficient design and the greatest amount of public space on the site.
FULL STORY:
| Lat: | 40.42 |
| Lng: | -74 |
| Type: | |
| Region: | NorthAmerica |
| Scale: | Building |
| Field: | Civilian |
| City: | New York |