Originally built as an 1870s courthouse and repurposed as a library in 1967, the building has been modernized through adaptive reuse to become brighter, more open, and universally accessible.

Historically sensitive enhancements preserve its legacy while introducing new technology, thoughtful civic features, and enduring architectural interventions, ensuring the library accommodates all visitors equally.

The New York Public Library's mandate to make all sites accessible sparked a need to renovate the lobby of its landmark Jefferson Market Branch Library. Once we began addressing this fundamental challenge, more significant issues became apparent. These issues led us to deepen the work of inclusive design by creating public spaces unhindered by a security desk and staff areas, fully utilizing the buildings unique triangular footprint.  

Our design focuses on creating equal access to the main and lower floors and addressing what the building does for visitors entering from the street. By upgrading the elevator and removing non-historical elements, we raised the height of the lobby's ceiling to reveal long-concealed stained-glass windows.  

Reimagining closed-door administration offices leads to the addition of new public restrooms. The raised floor provides universal access to the children's reading room. After these moves, the expansive lobby now serves as a double-height gallery lit by natural light. A variety of upgrades to services and washroom both at the lower level and second floor were included in this work.

For the exterior, the design turns a parking lot into a new garden entrance and accommodates wheelchair users by lowering two windowsills. Instead of buzzing for entrance from a side street as they previously needed to do, people in wheelchairs can now go up a granite ramp that matches the historic base of the building.

The renovation expands universal access while restoring a historic landmark. The removal of a stair-lift and other bulky features from the lobby creates more space for visitors. The design honors the building's history while modernizing it with landscape elements and clearer circulation paths. It uncovers and restores original features, even using sandstone flooring from the same quarry as the original stone. By improving accessibility and functionality, the project reinforces the library's welcoming, inclusive nature and continues the building's aesthetic story for all. 

The renovation expands universal access while restoring a historic landmark. The removal of a stair-lift and other bulky features from the lobby creates more space for visitors. The design honors the building's history while modernizing it with landscape elements and clearer circulation paths. It uncovers and restores original features, even using sandstone flooring from the same quarry as the original stone and creating new plaster details at the interior. By improving accessibility and functionality, the project reinforces the library's welcoming, inclusive nature and continues the building's aesthetic story for all.