MLK Library Modernization Designs

1. MLK Modernization Update Fall 2016

2. Agenda
• Introductions
• Project History
• Design Presentation
• Interim Services
• Schedule
• Q&A

4. MLK

5. Summary of Community Engagement
• Feedback from thousands of DC residents
• Public Architect Selection Process
– Technical Evaluation Committee
– MLK Advisory Panel
• 13 Subject/Age-Specific Focus Groups
• 60 Community/Stakeholder Meetings
• NCPC Oversight and Public Review

6. www.ncpc.gov/project/mlklibrary

7. PASSIVE ACTIVE
QUIET
LOUDPUBLIC
STAFF
COMMMUNITY /
ASSEMBLY
Design Approach

8. What We Heard
• A more welcoming entrance
• Incorporate more glass for more visibility
• Add a café with tables and seating outdoors
• Remove brick wherever possible
• Make it easy to find the stairs
• Bigger, faster elevators

9. Existing entrance

10. New entrance exposing west monumental stairs

11. New entrance exposing east monumental stairs

12. Entrance exposing monumental stairs and children’s slide

13. Existing 9th Street & G Place exterior

14. New Café Patio on 9th Street & G Place

15. 1st Floor

16. What We Heard
• Open up the stairwells
• Make it easier to find your way around the building
• Activate the Great Hall. It feels empty
• It would be such a joy to walk up a well-lit public
staircase

17. Existing vestibule

18. Vestibule exposing monumental stairs

19. Great Hall facing west monumental stairs

20. Existing public stairs

21. Existing public stairs

22. Monumental Stairs

23. Existing Great Hall
Photo Credit: Matthew Carbone

24. Great Hall with new seating area beneath MLK Mural

25. MLK Mural and new seating area

26. Digital Commons and enclosed meeting rooms

27. Digital Commons and enclosed meeting rooms

28. Existing Popular Library

29. Popular Library and Café

30. A Level

31. What We Heard
• Brighten up the A Level. It is intimidating / scary
• Provide more program spaces in a variety of sizes
• Include all the latest technology
• Put the noisy activities on the lower level

32. Stairs from Great Hall to A Level

33. A Level Program Spaces

34. A Level Program Spaces

35. 2nd Floor

36. What We Heard
• Eliminate wasted spaces and long dark corridors
• Neighborhood needs a child-centered space
• Make the teen space comfortable with a variety of
seating
• Natural light and view to outside

37. Existing upper floor with interior brick walls

38. Existing upper floor brick interiors

39. 2nd Floor Community Alliances with brick interiors removed

40. 2nd Floor Teen Library

41. Existing Children’s Room

42. 2nd Floor Children’s Library

43. 2nd Floor Children’s Library

44. 2nd Floor Children’s Slide

45. 2nd Floor Center for Accessibility

46. 3rd Floor – Floor Plan

47. What We Heard
• There needs to be a great reading room – well lit,
big space
• Seating near the windows
• Include study spaces like you have in the branches
• Incorporate public art

48. 3rd Floor Collaboration Spaces and Study Rooms

49. Double-height Reading Room

50. Counter seating along windows

51. 4th Floor

52. What We Heard
• Provide space for exhibits
• Be sure to honor Dr. King in the building
• Make it easier to find Special Collections
• Create an event space for conferences and
meetings

53. 4th Floor Exhibition Space / Auditorium entrance

54. 4th Floor Special Collections with custom Washington DC table

55. 4th Floor Special Collections

56. 5th Floor

57. What We Heard
• Include an auditorium space for performances
• Create a place where people can sit outside and
read or meet friends
• Include pre-function space
• Incorporate “green” elements into the design

58. Final auditorium concept

59. Final auditorium concept

60. Existing Roof

61. Fifth Floor Addition and roof terrace

62. Fifth Floor Addition and roof terrace

63. Services During Construction
• Philosophy
– Prioritize unique services/collections
– Just in time (as opposed to just in case)
– Outreach to neighborhoods
• New locations
• Expanded branch library hours
• Human Services

64. Next Steps
• Complete Designs and Secure Permits
• Finalize Budget and Construction Schedule
• Refine Library Interim Services
• Reengage Move Management Team
• Communicate Plans
• www.dclibrary.org/mlkfuture

65. Questions