Project name: East Boston Branch Library, Boston Public Library
Project location: Boston
Firm name: William Rawn Associates, Architects
Jury comments: The lofty programmatic aspirations of this library are admirable, and its transformative capacity is clear. It hums with activity in what is considered an underserved neighborhood where English is not always the first language. The library makes a real difference in its community. Aesthetically, it misses a level of complexity that is evident in some of the other finalists, though it is an extremely successful, functional project that serves its users in inspiring ways. The roofline is the building’s most inspirational and beautiful moment, although it seems to be an arbitrary design feature that does not necessarily support the program.
Client: City of Boston and the Boston Public Library
Consultants: DeIulus Brothers Construction Co.; Lab[3.2] Architecture; LeMessurier Consultants; Cosentini Associates; McPhall Associates; Stantec; Landworks Studio; Horton Lees Brogden Lighting Design; Acentech; Spec-Edit; Sullivan Code Group; The Schrafft Center; VHB; DMI; The Green Engineer; Arrowstreet; WhitneyVeigas/Identia
