The Adams Street branch of the Boston Public Library fuses Greek Revival architecture and New England design sensibilities into a contemporary aesthetic and design to create a visual marker for the neighborhood.
Located at the intersection of three neighborhood thoroughfares, Adams Street to the east (which serves as the main face of the library), with Hemenway Park to the north, and Gallivan Boulevard to the south, Boston architect NADAAA achieved the street. -Level connections to bring the exterior to the single-story library.
New England and Greek Revival influences
A notable architectural feature in New England is the use of brickwork, which serves as a prominent design element for both public and residential buildings. This approach allows for a representation of civic order on the front facade, while using brick as a fireproof measure for the sides, especially when they are close to neighboring buildings.
This exemplifies a unique Yankee ingenuity rooted in practicality, taking into account the cost and availability of materials, which often results in buildings that combine wood, brick and stone on different facades, joined seamlessly at the corners as if they belonged to different worlds. The design of the library refers to this aesthetic in its apparently different materials that are joined in several facades to form a whole.
Adams Street serves as the main facade of the library. It embodies a formal and monumental aesthetic, made with fluted glazed white terracotta tiles. It pays homage to the historic tradition of public buildings in small New England towns, characterized by Greek Revival influences. The fluted design of the Doric column unfolds on the facade, referencing its predecessor in an abstract way, while creating an undulating pilaster surface that adds a protective layer over a thin rain screen system.
Drawing inspiration from Boston-area masonry brick traditions and the Greek Revival style, the design also acknowledges the craftsmanship of terra cotta, showcasing the material’s natural earth tones, accented by a dark glaze used by represent mythical narratives.
Consequently, the building incorporates bare terracotta, white glaze and dark glaze as distinctive elements on different faces, establishing a harmonious connection between the materials and the neighboring structures.
While Adams Street serves as the library’s focal point, Oakton Avenue and Delmont Street bound it to the north and south, presenting a more modest residential scale. Toward the rear, the pointed roofs create a smaller scale, forming a single roof surface that becomes a fifth facade, visible to the surrounding buildings. The folded roof design consists of a series of ruled surfaces, resulting from a simple arrangement of fluted beams running from east to west. The drainage strategy directs stormwater into the East Alley Corridor, forming a watershed within a newly created pedestrian landscape.
design
Functioning as a carpet building, the library plan presented challenges in terms of bringing natural light and fresh air into the core of the structure. By extracting a wedge-shaped portion of the southern area of the site, light enters the remaining two wings, while illuminating the central part of the building. This configuration results in two gardens: a leafy garden to the south, which showcases native plants, and a garden to the north that frames an existing oak tree, which has historical significance to the site.
The layout of the building follows a simple division within the mat construction plan. A central circulation desk serves as a focal point, allowing for separate wings designated for adults, teens and children, allowing organized activities for each group. In addition, the landscape design of the south, north, and main Adams Street entrances helps distinguish the three wings as distinct areas. The service area is located east of the circulation desk and serves as a controlled personnel area. A community room to the north of the building takes advantage of the oak reading garden, providing flexible access from both inside the library and outside for special events. Adjacent to each age group’s space, reading areas are located tangent to the outdoor gardens, offering privacy and a quiet retreat from the bustling center.
The design process, driven by community input, resulted in an interesting contrast between the building’s configuration and its overall appearance.
The separation of adults, adolescents and children into different wings was determined through numerous community focus group meetings to ensure appropriate programming for each group. The massification of the building, on the other hand, was influenced by wider urban planning considerations. Interior planning led to a north-south arrangement of shelving, favoring ample light and views, while structural planning focused on optimizing overhead beam configurations to facilitate the site’s water conveyance system. The intersection of these two planning elements creates a unique spatial experience within the building.
The southern exposure is characterized by an extensive eaves, providing shade during the summer months and maximizing sunlight in the winter. The concrete floors serve as a thermal mass, contributing to the heating of the space for extended hours.
The following have been the collaborators of the project:
engineers
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection (MEP/FP) Engineers: Garcia, Galuska, DeSousa Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Structural: Souza True and Partners
Road engineer: BSC
Envelope consultant: GRLA
Acoustic and audiovisual (AV) consultant: Accentech
Geotechnology Consultant: McPhail
Consultants
Landscape: Earth
Lighting: Sladen Feinstein
Code: Kevin Hastings
Curator: SMMA
General contractor:
Project manager: J&J Contractors
Interior millwork: CW Keller & Associates
