New concepts for Woodridge library

Monday’s meeting at Woodridge was a success, with a large turnout and many new ideas presented by Bing Thom Architects and Wienceck + Associates, with the DC Public Library.

Here’s a look at images from the architects’ presentation on the newest developments in the Woodridge library’s design. You can click on the individual images to get a larger view.

This shows the relative location and size for each program element for the library. For example, the staff work room is shown next to and slightly larger than the circulation desk. The children’s area appears large, with a nearby children’s bathroom and information desk.

The lower level is a partial basement that houses mechanical services. It shows parking for 11 vehicles behind the building.

This slide shows the entrance to the library at the corner of 18th and Hamlin streets. This level features the children’s area, an outdoor terrace and a large meeting room for up to 100 people.

A central staircase leads to the second floor, which houses the adult and teen areas. Teens often use adult books and library materials, so placing the two on the same floor allows for convenient access to teen and adult materials. The second floor also features four quiet study rooms that can be used for individual study or tutoring. The second floor overlooks the ground floor, inspiring an open, airy feeling.

The third floor features an interior reading lounge and an outdoor reading terrace. Both spaces look out at vegetative green roof and views to Langdon Park and beyond.

The design incorporates a canopy that provides shade over the outdoor reading terrace and green roof.

This image shows how all four levels of the building come together vertically, including the roof canopy that sits above the green roof.

This is a view from immediately inside the front entrance and across the lobby to the central staircase. The third-floor reading lounge appears to float from above.

This image shows the view from the second floor, overlooking the ground floor. The reading lounge on the third floor appears to float from above.

This preliminary concept shows the overall shape of the building looking from Rhode Island Avenue. While the exterior material and color has not been decided, it will be a combination of solid and transparent surfaces.

This shows the view looking toward the enclosed reading lounge with views to the vegetative green roof beyond.

This is a view from the vegetative green roof looking back at the enclosed reading lounge. The roof canopy provides shading.

This is another view of the green roof and enclosed reading lounge, with view to Langdon Park and beyond. The roof, which provides shading, is visible.

This preliminary concept drawing shows the shape and mass of the building from Langdon Park. The exterior material and color of the building has not been decided.

These are images of study models, another part of the architect’s process toward the final design.

Here are images of the neighborhood around the site for the new Woodridge library.

These images show off different views of the scale models of the design concept.

Here are images of the concept drawings for the new Woodridge library.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments.

You can also check out ANC Candidate Nolan Treadway’s tweets from Monday’s meeting and presentation at Woodridge, and DCmud’s thoughts on the “airy, open and organic” design.