Project Description
Situated adjacent to historic Hamilton Fish Park in the East Village, the Hamilton Fish Park Branch Library will restore and renew the 1959 modernist structure, designed by Kelly & Gruzen. The facility was designed as part of a school complex (now NEST+m), and consists of a large interior zone with high ceilings and a low-ceiling zone stretching along Houston Street. The renovation project opens up the high center of the space, transforming it into an adult reading commons by shifting existing enclosed spaces, such as offices, community rooms and mechanical to the building’s perimeter. Substantial tapered concrete columns supporting the school above will be stripped and exposed in the space, visually linking the unique faceted exterior structure to its interior counterpart.