martinez + johnson /

martin luther king jr. memorial librarywashington, D.C.

martinez + johnson / mecanoo

concept design in progress, 05.19.2014

martinez + johnson /

round table presentation held on 4.24.2014

the design team created 2 studies for the lower level, ground level and level 2

levels 3, 4 and 5 are the same in option 1 and option 2

lower level

ground level

level 2

level 3

level 4

level 5

martinez + johnson /

area comparison current situation vs. proposed

exis

ting b

uild

ing

pro

pose

d

martinez + johnson /

option 1ground level

option 2ground level

“Have more displays. Make the Great Hall eye-catching”

“You should see lots of people engaged in library-related activities upon entering.

“the exterior is boring. It doesn’t draw attention. Have activities going on under the overhang.”

“Coffee shop on main level with free WiFi”

community comments:

”Children’s room should be easily accessible and inviting. Right now, the space is hard to find. The story time space is completely hidden.”

martinez + johnson /

proposed concept planground level

lobby, library of birmingham, UKv

children’s, library of birmingham, UK

outdoor cafè, library of birmingham, UK

martinez + johnson /

option 1lower level

option 2lower level

“Teen space, having an Innovation Space on same floor feels right; good place to Beta test anything/everything”

“Make it free-flowing – lower floor could be – teens & innovation”

“Have a space that would accommodate a whole class where they can talk. Teachers would be able to bring a whole class to the library to conduct research. Room should be close to stacks and have access to the online catalog.”

community comments:

martinez + johnson /

proposed concept planlower level

teen area, fontys school of sport studies, eindhoven,, NL

innovation and prototyping, AMOLF, amsterdam, NL

teen area, sterren college, haarlem,, NL

martinez + johnson /

option 1level 2

option 2level 2

adults: “plenty of space for quiet study and reading”

adults: “Merge people that bring their own technology and people that do not.”

adults: “Provide more resources for career development and entrepreneurs and learning technology skills that are helpful in finding a job.”

community comments:

martinez + johnson /

proposed concept planlevel 2

adult services, TU library, delft, NL

adult services, library of birmingham, UK

adult services, library of birmingham, UK

martinez + johnson /

proposed concept planlevel 3

adult services, TU library, delft, NL

adult services, library of birmingham, UK

adult services, library of birmingham, UK

martinez + johnson /

proposed concept planlevel 4

meeting event spaces, library of birmingham, UK“Special Collections feels like a back alley

buried on the 3rd floor. It should be featured more prominently in the building.”

“Better auditorium space for movie screening – and more comfortable seating in it”.

community comments:

supervised research area, library of birmingham, UK

martinez + johnson /

proposed concept planlevel 5/roof

community comments:

“Create a green space on the roof where customers can sit and read and eat or drink a cup of coffee.”

staff garden, library of birmingham, UK

public garden, library of birmingham, UK

martinez + johnson /

list of “improvements“

1. open up all three horizontal floors2. bring in more natural light and natural ventilation 3. improvement of the environment (thermal insulation, new heating and cooling)4. new restrooms with clear sight lines5. new finishes (paints, flooring, ceiling and signage)6. new layout and furniture7. transparent vertical public cores8. activate ground floor / great hall9. improve existing lighting / new lighting and better acoustics10. improvement of the public realm G place and the alley11. Roof garden / public terrace12. elegant / simple beam with solid ends as an option

martinez + johnson /

open up all three horizontal floorsimagine taking away the brick walls, this is a column free space!!!!

staff zone

public zone

staff zone

public zone

existing public zone MLK Jr. Library

existing floor plan (L2-L4)

proposed floor plan (L2-L4)

martinez + johnson /

more natural light and natural ventilation people - not the books - should have daylight people can enjoy their connection with the city / better orientation

existing public zone MLK Jr. Library

public seating along facade, library of birmingham, UK

martinez + johnson /

new restrooms with clear sight linesno hidden corners

reference image, restroomwithout hidden corners

reference image, restroom with overview of space

existing public restroom in MLK Jr. Library

martinez + johnson /

new finishes no carpet, but hard floor is durable & hygienic

existing floor (carpet) MLK Jr. Library new floor (hard materials are durable & hygienic)

martinez + johnson /

new layout and furnituretimeless quality and simplicity

existing furniture, MLK Jr. Library - timeless quality and simplicity

- consistency of design and materials

- easy to clean

- durable

- movable

martinez + johnson /

transparent vertical public coresstudy 1 -- stairs

martinez + johnson /

transparent vertical public coresstudy 2 -- stairs

martinez + johnson /

transparent vertical public coresstudy 3 -- ramps

martinez + johnson /

Activate the great hallthe market hall, welcoming, improved visibility inside and outside

“Have more displays. Make the Great Hall eye-catching”

martinez + johnson /

activate level 1 / great halllectures, book signing, TED talks, recitals

“You should see lots of people engaged in library-related activities upon entering. Perhaps the Great Hall should be a reading room. It’s too empty.”

martinez + johnson /

improvement of the public realm, G place, and the alleyview from G place, ….remove barrier walls, create areawayimagine…there is so much potential here!

“the exterior is boring. It doesn’t draw attention. You need better signage outside and it would be great to have activities going on under the overhang.”

existing G Placeexisting loggia on G Place

martinez + johnson /

improvement of the public realm, G place, and the alleyview from G place, ….remove barrier walls, create areawayimagine…there is so much potential here!

artist impression of the proposed loggia on G place looking west

martinez + johnson /

improvement of the public realm, G place, and the alleyview from G place, ….remove barrier walls, create areawayimagine…there is so much potential here!

artist impression of the proposed loggia on G place looking east

martinez + johnson /

café, library of birmingham, uk

improvement of the public realm, G place, and the alleythe alley, proposed ground level plan

existing alley on 9th street

existing loggia on 9th street

martinez + johnson /

improvement of the public realm, G place, and the alleythe alley, proposed ground level plan

artist impression of the proposed loggia on 9th street

martinez + johnson /

elegant / simple beam with solid ends as an optionnot competing with the public building

martinez + johnson /

-elegant / simple beam with solid ends as an optionnot competing with the public building