Centerbrook was selected to explore the feasibility of expanding the Mary Cheney Library, the town’s public library located in an historic park on Main Street in the heart of downtown Manchester. The library has the fourth largest circulation in the state, but for some time its existing building has been ill-equipped to properly meet the needs of the several communities it serves.
Centerbrook produced a series of community-based, participatory workshops to explore design options for expanding the library at its current location. Stakeholders who took part included representatives from historical groups, city officials, library patrons, and neighbors. Centerbrook’s conceptual design was informed by workshop exercises that documented how the library was used and identified which areas of the park were viewed by most as “sacred” places.
The concept respects the portions of the park that are historically significant, concentrating development at the opposite end nearest the existing library and a 19th century probate court building. It creates a glassy, arced wall that frames the park and opens up views to the park. A new entry links to two distinct parking areas and projects a strong civic presence on a prominent street corner.
Link to Library Design Study:
http://www.ci.manchester.ct.us/librarystudy/
Renderings © Centerbrook