Username Password  
  Forgot your password?  
ItalianoEnglish
 
  COME VEDERE L'ARCHITETTURA CONTEMPORANEA HOW TO SEE CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE
COME VEDERE L'ARCHITETTURA CONTEMPORANEA HOW TO SEE CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE
HOME
ARCHITECT | LOCATION | TYPOLOGY | EXHIBITIONS | ADVANCED SEARCH

BUILDING
 
 
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - Renovation
Top
DESIGNER
 
 
Mecanoo | Martinez+Johnson
Top
DESCRIPTION
 
February 18, 2014
Mecanoo Martinez+Johnson Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Washington D.C.D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray announced today the design team Mecanoo and Martinez + Johnson is chosen to revitalize the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. The city’s aim for their Central Public Library project is to deliver a next generation library building that embraces Washington DC’s contemporary culture and changing needs. The MLK Library will be an attractive catalyst for community activity. The MLK Library, completed in 1972, is designed by one of the great 20th Century architect Mies van der Rohe and honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr..

Mecanoo Martinez+Johnson Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Washington D.C.The potentially $150 million project will redesign the 250,000 square foot interior of the 1970s library to modernize the building. The MLK Library is the hub of the Public Library system in Washington, D.C.. It's the only library designed by modernist Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and opened three years after his death in 1972. The teams were asked to submit two ideas: what they would do if it was a straight library renovation, as well as possibilities for a mixed-use building with additional floors above the existing building. Mayor Vincent Gray: “This takes us to a new stage. I am excited about the "bold vision" for the renovated library.”

Leading the design effort will be the Netherlands based firm Mecanoo. Mecanoo’s work often intervenes within existing building fabric, creating new and exciting interpretations. The practice designs public buildings that are embraced by their users, respect the social and natural environment, and consciously contribute to the quality of life in urban centers. Washington based Martinez+Johnson has extensive experience with historic renovation projects. M+J will share responsibilities with Mecanoo throughout the project. The design team will be led by Francine Houben, creative director/architect at Mecanoo who just delivered the Library of Birmingham, the largest in Europe. Francine Houben “We will pay respect to Mies van der Rohe and research what is possible to prepare this building for the Library of the Future. But most important is bringing out the values of Martin Luther King. My dream is to make this building to reflect his ideals. “
Top
VIDEO
 
 
Top
LOCATION
 
Continent
North America
Nation
United States
District
District of Columbia
Town
Washington D.C.
Address
901 G St. NW
 
 
Website
E-mail
mlkjrlibrary@dc.gov
Top
MAP
 
 
Top
TYPOLOGY
 
Main
ARCHITECTURE
Buildings for cultural activities
Libraries and media libraries
Operations on existing buildings
Renovation, rehabilitation and restructuring
Extension, superelevation
Additional
ARCHITECTURE
Commercial buildings
Bars, cafeterias
Restaurants

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS
Landscape architecture
Hanging gardens
Top
CHRONOLOGY
 
Project
2013 - 2014     project winner of competition
Realisation
2017 - 2020
Top
THE BUILDING IN CINEMA
 
Title
  A Legacy of Mies and King
Directed by
Nienke Andersson
Nationality
USA
Year of production
2017
Cast
Francine Houben
Building's role
Protagonist
Top
BIBILIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
 
 
Alexandra Lange, "“Those familiar with Mecanoo and Rawn may expect more of a shock in D.C. than in Boston. But Rawn has not approached the project with a light hand, but rather with a rainbow fist.”. A Tale of Two Modernist Libraries", Architect 12/2015, december 2015, pp. 89-97
Sara Johnson, "Q+A: Francine Houben", Architect 3/2014, march 2014, "Front" p. 24
Caroline Massie, "By the Books", Architect 1/2014, january 2014, "Front" p. 27
Kriston Capps, "Restoring a Mies Gem", Architect 11/2013, november 2013, "Front" p. 46
Top
CLIENT
 
 
District of Columbia Public Library
Top
AMOUNT
 
 
$ 150,000,000
Top
RELATED PROJECTS
 
 
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Washington D.C., Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Mecanoo, Francine Houben
Top
CREDITS
 
 
Drawings © Mecanoo architecten
Text edited by Mecanoo architecten
Courtesy of Mecanoo architecten

Mecanoo Martinez+Johnson Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Washington D.C.



If you haven't already clicked on the photo strip at the top of the page, for the gallery of photos [1 image] and drawings [3 images], enter here
 
 
Contacts    Copyright © 2004 - 2024 MONOSTUDIO | ARCHITECTOUR.NET
 
| Disclaimer | Conditions of use | Credits |
 
       
?>