Project name: Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library Renovation
Project overview: The Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library in Nubian Square was designed in 1978 by Kallmann and McKinnell Architects, conceived of as an introvert in the Brutalist style. This 27,000 square foot renovation includes a revitalized community room, new lighting, and large windows overlooking a new plaza.
Project location: Roxbury, Massachusetts
Firm name: Utile, Inc.
Project type: Public Library
Project information: Renovation/restoration
Jury comments: It is a pleasure to see the transformation of an existing building into a sustainable and beautiful community resource, accessible to all; the library in both a physical and metaphorical sense. The interior spaces are opened up to light and air, with the introduction of wood finishes and acoustic baffles. The exterior patio shading and seating are most welcome in this era of rising temperatures, in a neighborhood sorely lacking in outdoor thermal comfort. This project features some energy- and water-conservation features, but is truly outstanding in terms of community enrichment, equity, and the quality of the design.
