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New Renderings Give a Fresh Look at MLK Library Renovation

A new look at the proposed fourth and fifth floor auditorium; All renderings via Mecanoo, Martinez+Johnson Architecture and the D.C. Public Library

The D.C. Public Library (DCPL) has now submitted their concept design for a newly renovated Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library to the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB). ARCHITECT was the first to report on the newly released renderings for the project as well as changes to the earlier design.

One of the major proposed changes is to construct a glass-enclosed open staircase in place of the current brick-walled stairwell. The designs for the auditorium has also changed from two opposing tiers of seats to a U-shaped auditorium. There is still no certainty on color choice in the building.

The DCPL will present their design to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts on July 16 and to the HPRB on July 23.

From a maker's space to a new children's library, get an even closer look at what the MLK Library will look like. See all of the previously released renderings here. The developers for the $208 million renovation are architecture team Martinez + Johnson and Mecanoo.


· The Proposed Future of Mies van der Rohe's Only Library [Architect Magazine]
· Renderings Reveal the Brand Spanking New MLK Library [Curbed DC]
· Remembering Mies van der Rohe's Influence on the MLK Library [Curbed DC]