MLK Modernization Final Designs
MLK
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
www.ncpc.gov/project/mlklibrary
PASSIVE ACTIVE
QUIET
LOUDPUBLIC
STAFFCOMMMUNITY /
ASSEMBLY
Design Approach
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
““
Existing entrance
New entrance exposing west monumental stairs
New entrance exposing east monumental stairs
Entrance exposing monumental stairs and children’s slide
Existing 9th Street & G Place exterior
New Café Patio on 9th Street & G Place
1st Floor
What We Heard
““1• 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
Existing vestibule
Vestibule exposing monumental stairs
Great Hall facing west monumental stairs
Existing public stairs
Existing public stairs
Monumental Stairs
Existing Great Hall
Photo Credit: Matthew Carbone
Great Hall with new seating area beneath MLK Mural
MLK Mural and new seating area
Digital Commons and enclosed meeting rooms
Digital Commons and enclosed meeting rooms
Existing Popular Library
Popular Library and Café
A Level
What We Heard
““A• 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
Stairs from Great Hall to A Level
A Level Program Spaces
A Level Program Spaces
2nd Floor
What We Heard
““2• 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
Existing upper floor with interior brick walls
Existing upper floor brick interiors
2nd Floor Community Alliances with brick interiors removed
2nd Floor Teen Library
Existing Children’s Room
2nd Floor Children’s Library
2nd Floor Children’s Library
2nd Floor Children’s Slide
2nd Floor Center for Accessibility
3rd Floor – Floor Plan
What We Heard
““3• 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
3rd Floor Collaboration Spaces and Study Rooms
Double-height Reading Room
Counter seating along windows
4th Floor
What We Heard
““4• 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
4th Floor Exhibition Space / Auditorium entrance
4th Floor Special Collections with custom Washington DC table
4th Floor Special Collections
5th Floor
What We Heard
““5• 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
Design Evolution
Design Evolution – Initial auditorium concept
Design Evolution – Revised auditorium concept
Final auditorium concept
Final auditorium concept
Existing Roof
Fifth Floor Addition and roof terrace
Fifth Floor Addition and roof terrace