I started working at Finegold Alexander in 1991. In the years since, one of the firm’s credos– the building is your silent partner –has been reinforced for me dozens of times. Renovating and expanding historic buildings for continued use is tricky but so worthwhile. My current project, the Holyoke Public Library, has been a wonderful partner as we sought to fit a 21st century library into a 110 year old building. Built in 1902, after a design by James A. Clough, the Neo-classical library is situated in a park and has served Holyoke well for decades. To extend the life of this valued member of the community, our team designed a revitalized historic core wedded to a modern addition. The result is a civic resource for generations of Holyoke residents.
Our charge was multi-fold. Restore the façade, refurbish the interior, install new building systems, and achieve 100 % accessibility while meeting program goals in an environmentally friendly addition. We were fortunate to have the original construction documents as we began to get acquainted with our project partner: the building itself. Through the drawings and time spent on site, we got to know the building, its construction and peculiarities. We also came to understand where and how an addition could merge with the historic building.
Restoration and repair to the facade will involve cleaning the brick and limestone, replicating three original sky lights that had been removed, and repairing the terracotta roof tiles. Inside, murals that have enlivened the interior since the 1950s are being cleaned and reinstalled. New sprinkler and electrical systems were to be inserted into the first floor coffered ceiling of decorative millwork and plaster. Again, we listened to the building and realized we could come in from the top. By removing the finished floor and sub-floor of the second floor we are able to introduce new systems into the first floor ceiling more sensitively.
In early 20th century libraries, books were often housed in a ‘stack wing’ distinguished by structural systems of steel with glass floor tiles. With Holyoke’s Historic Commission, the design team received approval to deconstruct this inaccessible wing to make way for a more efficient addition. New outdoor benches will be made from the repurposed glass floors and brick and limestone has been retained for repairs to the historic core. Removal of the stack wing allowed the design team more latitude to design an addition that is future-forward while celebrating the original 1902 design and avoiding destruction of adjacent parkland.
Again, cues from the existing building set the stage for new construction. Cornice lines and limestone, brick and glass of the 22,000sf addition all resonate with the 18,000sf historic building to create a whole. The main entrance has been shifted to the North with an at-grade entry that is welcoming, accessible, near parking, and offers after-hours access to large public meeting rooms.
Vertical circulation is always a challenge in dealing with historic buildings. Meeting today’s building codes and merging new construction with old fabric is where the rubber hits the road. Our solution was a new circulation core that carries people efficiently through the entire building, connecting three existing levels with three new interspersed levels. Flanking the core are double-height spaces (a teen area and a reading room) that will bring the historic exterior façade inside.
Throughout the planning and design process, our team has been guided by the original design intent, how the building was constructed and how it has aged. Our goal is to give voice to our silent partner, value what it offers, and bring forward the decades of memories housed there
Ellen Anselone AIA LEED AP is a senior associate at Finegold Alexander