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.
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- 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.
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- The lower level is a partial basement that houses mechanical services. It shows parking for 11 vehicles behind the building.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- The design incorporates a canopy that provides shade over the outdoor reading terrace and green roof.
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- This image shows how all four levels of the building come together vertically, including the roof canopy that sits above the green roof.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- This shows the view looking toward the enclosed reading lounge with views to the vegetative green roof beyond.
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- This is a view from the vegetative green roof looking back at the enclosed reading lounge. The roof canopy provides shading.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- These are images of study models, another part of the architect’s process toward the final design.
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- Here are images of the neighborhood around the site for the new Woodridge library.
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- These images show off different views of the scale models of the design concept.
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- 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.
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I’d like to see more detail about the proposed closing of Hamlin Street. How would traffic circulation (pedestrian, automotive, bicycle) be handled?
Why do you need to close Hamlin Street? We need the parking. What are you proposing to put in its place? There is nothing in the design given? If any changes aren’t free, then don’t change Hamlin Street.
I’d like to see the kids area with the windows at the front of the library. I think that will help draw more young people to the library. And the terrace can face the front, too.
The second floor has 4 sets of staircases, while the third floor has 3. Why is there the need for all these stairwells?
How much does it cost to maintain a vegetable green roof? Will the vegetables be given to a local food pantry? There is no space on the green roof for a staff person to be stationed. I’d rather have a skylight on the green roof level and the reading lounge on the second floor. I think this can still create an open, airy atmosphere, with the watchful presence of staff.
Will the library make use of wind and solar energy? This could help with energy costs over the long run and help the environment.
I don’t think the libraries should try to run Cafes. The library staff is not large enough to have to clean up spills and left over food from Cafe patrons.
Keep whatever parking you have, no more, no less. Leave Hamlin Street as it is. I usually park on Hamlin because I find it is safer than the parking behind the library.
@imgoph @Les and @Ben — Re: Hamlin Street: No decisions have been made about the closing of Hamlin Street in front of the library to create a public plaza. We are in very early discussions with the appropriate District agencies to see if it’s feasible and what impact it will have. Once we learn more from these agencies, we will share our thoughts and ideas on this blog and at upcoming meetings to get community feedback and input.
@Ben — The green roof will be a vegetative roof, with plants that will be drought-resistant and low-maintenance, which will require minimal time from our staff and will also help keep building maintenance costs down. There are no plans to include vegetables or other edible plants.
As for alternative energy sources, the design team continues to explore these options. No decisions have been made. However, the library will be designed to receive at least LEED silver certification for environmentally-friendly design — in a fashion similar to our other recently built and renovated libraries.
LEED certification encourages use of energy-wise solutions, and while wind and solar energy are two of them, it also includes options such as energy-use monitoring, efficient design, and energy-saving lighting, appliances and systems.
I still think the “front” of the library should be re-oriented to Langdon Park, where the parking, such as it is, is located. Hamlin St neighbors made clear they don’t want library patrons parking in “their” spot in front of their homes. Do most patrons walk to the library? I don’t. Where do library employees currently park?
Given the whiz way that is Rhode Island Ave during two rushes / day, and the greenscape of the park, as the architect pointed out, which would you rather approach?
Given the southern exposure toward Langdon Park and the proposed pergola-like roof, architects should consider solar heat gain up there during summer months and perhaps protect buildng and patrons from the heat. If this past summer is any indication of future ones…
The rear of the library creates too much light! You will need to put shades on the windows to block excessive light and glare. It won’t be too pleasant for the kids. I’d like to see more windows for the new building. I’ve used both Petworth and the new Mount Pleasant library. I like their windows. They have plenty of natural lighting on all levels. I would rather have a separate level for each age group. At Mount Pleasant the teens use the basement (which has windows), the adults you the ground level (which has windows), and the children have the upper level (which has windows). Can’t the Woodridge Library be constructed like those great libraries?
I went to the Shaw library recently and was shocked at how horribly it smelled. It made me realize that it will be crucial to provide ventilation in our new library. Please, please, please make it possible to open windows (even if only the library staff can do it). There has to be fresh air circulation in the library. I appreicate this forum to allow us to give our input. Thanks!
Exactly where was the smell you noticed? Did you let the librarian know? Shaw just cleaned it’s carpeting. But, you do point out a major problem is all the new libraries: bad air circulation and poor heating/cooling systems. All the new libraries have serious noise problems, too.
As design develops – you need to add windows on north elevation – the neighborhood doesn’t need a blank wall. Use the park as the main entrance; the library should have the parking in front (current arrangement is not secure and inconvenient in the rain. The park level is where the entrance and meeting room should be, with mechanical in the back. If not, the entrance from parking needs a major upgrade for security and a “welcome to the library” sensation. Noise in the open areas needs careful selection and placement of acoustical materials; the fewer hard surfaces, the better!
may i know you’r concept design?