Carnegie Library

Washington, DC

Commercial & Workplace Historic Preservation Adaptive Reuse Landmarks

Carnegie Library: CarnegieLibrary PLP Project Page 1 Copy

Nigel Young/Foster+Partners

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Client

Apple, Inc.

Size

63,000 SF

Construction Cost

Confidential

The holistic transformation of a historic Washington, DC, landmark offers a contemporary interpretation of the original design intent, while allowing the building to retain its original purpose of easing access to knowledge and information.

The Carnegie Library on Mount Vernon Square, one of the city’s most stunning buildings and expressions of civic pride, opened in 1903 as a gift from American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The visionary adaptive reuse project included a complete restoration of the exterior Vermont marble and Milford granite facade; restoration of the historic windows; restoration of the historic light well in the central atrium; restoration of the historic reading rooms, including ceiling, windows, and pilasters; and the return of historic detailing, restoration of the grand staircase, and restoration of the Guastavino ceiling in the basement.

Carnegie Library: CarnegieLibrary PLP Page 2 Copy

Nigel Young

Carnegie Library: UEW 10513 Carnegie Completed 762 Final

Carnegie Library: CarnegieLibrary PLP Scout20 Copy

Carnegie Library: CarnegieLibrary Scout22 copy

Carnegie Library: CarnegieLibrary PLP Project Page 3 Copy

Nigel Young

The preservation strategy relied on identifying hidden chases, shafts, and vertical pathways to invisibly add new building systems and lighting, carefully integrating contemporary features into the historic building fabric. BBB coordinated and documented the removal of loadbearing masonry walls and non-original floor slabs to transform the cloistered library into an open and engaging space, welcoming visitors to experience the next century of learning. The weathered condition of the architectural details was respected and left intact; however, deteriorated sculptural elements on the main facade were consolidated and minimally restored using Dutchman and mortar patching repairs where appropriate. The original wood windows were restored and retrofitted with new energy-efficient glazing.

Carnegie Library: Washington DC Library Annual Report 1898 1907 readign room

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Carnegie Library History

Carnegie Library: Nd National Photo Co. Collection Lot 12359 9 LOC (1)

1899-1902

The Central Public Library was designed and constructed using funds donated by Andrew Carnegie.

Carnegie Library: 1904 BOT Annual Report Section Of Childrens Room Main Floor Washington DC Library Annual Report 1898 1907

1906-1962

The DC Public Library undertook several interior modifications to support continued library uses.

Carnegie Library: JG 1904 BOT Annual Report Delivery Room Main Floor Washington DC Library Annual Report 1898 1907

1964-1969

The building was listed in the DC Inventory of Historic Sites (1964) and National Register of Historic Places (1969) as the Central Public Library.

Carnegie Library: 1980 HABS DC WASH 551 2

1977-1980

The University of the District of Columbia purchased the building and completed a major rehabilitation.

Carnegie Library: 1990c AERIAL VIEW OF MOUNT VERNON SQUARE LOOKING SOUTHEAST FROM L AND NINTH STREETS, NW HABS DC WASH 622 1

2001-2003

The Historical Society of Washington, DC, granted a lease of the building and completed a rehabilitation to house its headquarters and the City Museum.

Carnegie Library: CarnegieLibrary PLP Scout07 Copy

A newly imagined entry staircase on the north facade provides a welcoming portal to the convention center and Shaw District beyond. The project also included new site walkways and a south plaza—making the building accessible from the south for the first time—as well as new landscaping, the incorporation of bioretention beds, and new facade lighting.