Designed in 1877 by Frederick Withers and Calvert Vaux as a Victorian Gothic courthouse, Jefferson Market Library holds layers of public life in its structure. The courtroom became a reading room. A brick-arched basement that once held prisoners now serves as a reference space. But over time, years of partial upgrades left the entry sequence disjointed. The building’s triangular footprint made for awkward circulation, and public areas were blocked by outdated infrastructure and minimally accessible routes.

Our design restores both function and dignity. By removing built-in elements like the stair lift and circulation desk, the team reclaimed underused lobby space and revealed the original stained-glass windows. Ceilings are raised, floor elevations are shifted, and visitors can now move directly into the Children’s Room. The new elevator improves access across every level.

Outside, the design replaces a parking lot with a welcoming garden and transforms a side-door workaround into a main entrance with a granite ramp that aligns with the building’s historic base. Windowsills are lowered to enhance visibility and seating. Throughout, materials and finishes match the original structure to preserve character while improving performance.

Visitors encounter a brighter, more open lobby and seamless movement between floors. Features once hidden are visible again. The building operates with modern infrastructure and meets current codes without compromising its identity. What began as a courthouse became, even more clearly, a place of reading, reflection, and civic connections.