Scheduled for completion in 2028, the new Brooklyn Public Library in New Lots is a striking departure from typical designs, featuring a curved, glassy exterior wrapped in a woven basket-like screen. This modern structure is informed by the site’s history as an African burial ground, aiming to create a setting for learning and celebration that resonates with the community's past and future aspirations.
The architects MASS Design Group and Marble Fairbanks emphasize their commitment to community-oriented architecture, with MASS Design Group known for its residential projects across the U.S. and Africa. Their collaboration aims to infuse local culture into the library's design, ensuring the building reflects community needs while promoting sustainability through the innovative use of mass timber materials.
A significant aspect of the design is the building's 'veil', inspired by contemporary artist Sanford Biggers' sculpture 'Lifting the Veil', which features figures of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. This artistic element symbolizes the transition of the site from a hidden burial ground to a vibrant cultural center, illustrating the library's mission to foster community activism and education.
The project underwent a rigorous public consultation process from 2019 to 2021, allowing local residents to voice their desires and influence the design. The library will serve not only as a space for books and learning but as a communal hub for celebration and activism, embodying the values and aspirations of the New Lots neighborhood.
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