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