Architects: A*PT ARCHITECTURE Location: 1458 York Avenue, New York, NY 10075, USA Area: 0.0 m2 Year: 2011 Photography: Courtesy of Atelier Pagnamenta Torriani
From the architect. Our school libraries are friendly oases within NYC institutional school buildings. The library spaces are specific to each school and once built, they soon become The Living Room used by the whole school.
Bayard Taylor Library is situated in a primary school, an historic building designed in 1895 by C.R.J. Snyder.
This library is a sequence of interlocked functions articulated by the undulating high ceiling and stimulating lighting pattern above.
Functions include a class room with modular tables that can be combined in various configurations for meetings and conferences; ergonomic chairs; computer areas; lounge areas and story telling area with low-shelving accessible to the children and perimeter bookshelves.
There is a play between the existing old structure and the new contemporary insert: the poured rubber flooring and the undulating ceiling with lighting are inserted in the old room; while the wood paneling with integrated shelving, reminiscent of the old libraries, is attached to the existing walls.
Materials used are low VOC and environmentally friendly:
- Poured rubber flooring
- Wood paneling
- Gypsum board ceiling
- Energy efficient fluorescent light fixtures
Furniture is modular and seating is ergonomic.
