Jury comments: A once ugly, banal building has been transformed into a much more welcoming and visually appealing public library. The design response is simple and effective: Reconfigure the grading so the building can be approached from multiple directions up a gently sloping hill. Now, people with or without mobility issues share the same path to building entry. The entire ramp is covered by a polycarbonate roof that provides shelter and sweeps up dramatically to make access more exciting and very visible. The park is beautiful, though it doesn’t seem to have accessible seating. The paving is taken up with benches, rather than leaving pavers open for wheelchairs.
Client: Town of Framingham Central Library
Consultants: Linwood Construction, Souza, Carol R. Johnson Associates
