Winning Library Renovation

Peter Gisolfi Associates transformed the existing library's setting, its function, and its appearance. A new, two-story structure of approximately 5,500 square feet was constructed adjacent to the original building, to separate the heavily-used children's area from the adult areas. This split-level addition houses the new children's library on its upper floor and a new community room on the lower level. The addition complements the language of the original building with its undulating roof forms and exposed wood glulam beams. The design reduces operating and maintenance costs by upgrading the library's mechanical systems and incorporating more insulation and sustainable materials. Large expanses of energy efficient glass walls and clerestory windows flood the interior of the new addition with daylight.
The jury for the awards program was chaired by Michael Hoffman, Associate Professor of the Department of Architecture and Art at Norwich University in Vermont. "This project is incredibly well done." Mr. Hoffman said. "It is an exceedingly sophisticated extension of the [original] building. It surpasses the original without making it look old. It makes everything around it look better." He added that the jury was impressed by the way the addition to the original building enhanced the original and did not compete with it. "This is an extraordinarily difficult thing to accomplish."