New Shaw Library Sculpture
20 08 2009When we first saw this rendering (below) of the new Shaw Library we were impressed but the cool looking sculpture up front seemed like one of those things that’s in the initial rendering but never makes it off the drawing board. Well we are happy to report that the sculpture is going to be more than just a drawing… and it’s going to be colorful!
Unlike some other new libraries being built around town, this one has some style and now we know it is going to have a great and distinctive centerpiece as well. Of course there’s going to be some substance under the style as well, with lots of energy efficient features including a raised floor for optimized air circulation, a white roof, a sun screen on the southern exposure, and use of materials with high recycled content. Should be ready to serve the community by Spring 2010.
Rendering of the colorful sculpture after the jump…
Looks like it will be neon and light up at night as well? Sure is better than the gray looking one in that picture.
Is this the Watha T Daniel Library? It is next to the Shaw/Howard U Metro…
Instead of recycled building materials and glass curtain walls I wish they would just use permanent natural materials, that way maintenance is cheap, energy consumption minimal, and it might actually fit into the Shaw neighborhood. As for the recycled pop art sculpture…
I just hope they have a nice well stocked reading room for kids with comfortable inviting spaces to explore the materials. That matters much more than the exterior. But the exterior is pretty cool. The neighborhood could really use a shot in the arm like this.
Loves it!
This building and sculpture will add a much needed sense of flavor to the monotonous architecture in Washington, DC.
Whoa — love it!
I prefer it in gray. Colored like that it resembles a jester’s cap.
dano and Thayer:
Yes, that is indeed going to be the new Watha T. Daniel library. My partner, Eric Riley, is the head librarian and I can assure you there was significant thought and concern that went into future energy consumption and maintenance needs for the building. This is one of the major reasons responsive shade was included in the design; no librarian wants to work in a big glass oven.
I think in general this will be good for the area. One good thing about the sculpture it will attract some attention.
DCsocialite.com
Except, Thayer, recycled aluminum requires around the same (sometimes less) of energy per pound to manufacture - and you use a fraction of the aluminum, by weight, than brick. It also lasts much longer than you’re admitting.
@ Thayer
I think that its tough to criticize anything going in there as a betrayal of the community aesthetic considering the nasty apartment blocks just to the north. At least it isn’t just a glass box, its got some features to break up the shape and glare. Architecturally some of my favorite areas are right around U st where you have old next to new. Historic structures should be preserved when possible, but modern recreations are nearly always disappointing. Why not build what we are good at? Plus the labor cost to recreate intricate brick work would be prohibitive, especially on a public building.
Is that a Craig Kraft sculpture? He’s a local artist who lives in the old firehouse on R ST.