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