DC is close to completing a new and high profile library in South East DC called Bellevue Library, aka Washington Highlands Neighborhood Library, aka Lockridge Library. Naming issues aside, this past weekend the National Building Museum organized a tour of the site and close-to-complete building. Already visible are the wood slat façade, and the "upside-down" concrete floor slab construction, where the ceiling is flat and the beams and ductwork are concealed in a raised floor (as opposed to a suspended dropped ceiling).
The building was designed by the high profile architect David Adjaye, who has another DC public library in the works and is also the winner of the National Museum of African American History competition. Adjaye spoke about his inspiration for the building and architecture's social role and we have the video after the jump. Wiencek +Associates are also part of the design team and it took several iterations in order to appease the community and the building was even on the receiving end of a statement by Marion Barry when he said, "A library is for books and the community and information gathering—not something to view." Despite all this, the project is on track and expects to finish by this spring.
Video from Youtube
· Bellevue Library [DCPL]
· David Adjaye: Washington Projects [DesignBloom]
· D.C.’s Bellevue library faces name controversy [WaPo]
· Wiencek-Associates [OfficialSite]
· World-Class Or Community-Serving [CCN]
· Adjaye & Associates [Facebook]
· Adjaye [YouTube]
Written by Vaclav Malek
Photos and renderings from Vaclav Malek, Wiencek-Associates, and Adjaye & Associates.