Hunters Point Community Library
At long last, there is major progress at the public library on the Queens' waterfront in Hunters Point. In planning for almost a decade, the design by Steven Holl Architects has started to rise since officially breaking ground last summer.
Situated among the recent crop of towers on the waterfront in Hunters Point, the structure will rise to approximately 104 feet. Inside, the building embraces the library typology's new role as community hub with a diverse array of programs. An adult reading collection, children's area, teen area, cyber-center, conference room and outdoor amphitheater are all housed in the 22,000 square foot structure. This diversity in program is registered on the building's facades with large organic openings that provide light and views out. At night, the light will shine through the openings, a dramatic lantern on the Queens waterfront visible to the community and Manhattan.
Currently, the poured in place concrete exterior walls have reached approximately one-third of the library's final height. The organic facade openings are also starting to take shape with their yellow form-work appearing throughout the concrete structure. Completion is slated for sometime next year.
Southwest corner.
Southwest corner.
South facade.
Close-up of west facade at Manhattan Stair opening.
Northwest corner at Office opening.
Facade mock-up.
Southeast corner and facade mock-up.
Southeast corner with Children's Area opening.
Close-up of the form-work for the Children's Area opening.
Southeast corner and concrete facade mock-up.
East facade.
East facade with form-work for Children's Area opening and Main Entry.
The library structure seen among the towers of the Queens waterfront from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park.
The library superstructure rising.
Architect: Steven Holl Architects; Client: New York City Department of Design and Construction, Queens Library; Program: Library; Location: Hunters Point, Long Island City, Queens, NY; Completion: 2017.
