At the new East Boston Library, sky-sourced natural light is king.
The library is wrapped in full-height glazing and topped with a swooping roof that cantilevers beyond the building façades. The overhangs shade the building, helping to reduce solar gain, but don’t inhibit the amount of natural light that streams deep inside the library. To keep the space free from obstruction, furnishings and shelves remain low. They also serve as markers, gently shaping different functional areas within the entirely open-plan interior. Back outside, patrons can make themselves at home in Adirondack chairs that line the library’s reading porch. The building welcomes the neighborhood onto the library’s grounds, overlooking Bremen Street Park and the Boston skyline beyond.
The new library abuts Bremen Street Park, allowing passersby on foot or bicycle to view activities happening inside the building.
