west branch library
somerville, Massachusetts
“By doing the renovation and the restoration, what we’ve been able to offer— not just the West Somerville community but really the entire city— is a beautiful space that is free and open to literally anybody who wants to come through our doors.”
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Type: renovation and addition
Size: 13,000 SF
Status: Completed 2021
Photography: Anton Grassi
The West Branch Library addition and renovation presents the historic Carnegie Library through a 21st-century lens, through the careful restoration of historic features; a contemporary new addition; and the creation of universal access for the first time in the building’s history. The project consisted of a gut renovation of the interior spaces, plus a contemporary new addition that complements the historic structure. The upper level of the library— formerly occupied by stacks— houses a vibrant new children’s area. A multi-purpose community room and maker space was inserted into the lower level, and is accessible after-hours for events that occur when the library is closed.
The West Branch Library project represents a fundamental shift in library design, from the library as a “grocery store”— a place to check out resources for use at home— to a “kitchen”— a place to experiment, collaborate, and create. This shift requires a fundamental rethinking of library design, away from a singular repository for resources, and toward a space that fosters engagement, curiosity, and the creation of knowledge.
FROM RESTORE TO INNOVATE
The design approach for the library ranged on a scale from restore — preserving historic spaces— to innovate —injecting or adding new program areas. Other spaces fell in the middle of this spectrum—like the Children’s Library, which restored the building’s original skylight and ceiling form on the upper level, but added contemporary finishes and furnishings.
impact
The project re-establishes the West Branch Library as a key civic fixture in the Davis Square neighborhood. It is a place for people to gather, share, celebrate, study, and socialize within the context of their neighborhood and community— it is truly theirs to use. It is a building and place to be proud of; something for the neighborhood to call their own.
