With a prominent street presence and spaces supporting a variety of public programs, the new Newark Free Library will serve as a symbolic gateway to downtown Newark and its many cultural offerings.

An extensive stakeholder engagement process revealed both a deep love for the library and a desire for expanded programming. In response, we created dedicated spaces for a wide range of activities: a maker space, demonstration kitchen, audiovisual recording suite, and 165-seat performance venue, among others. Abundant study, collaboration, and quiet reading areas fulfill more traditional library functions.

For the building’s Library Avenue façade, we designed a louvered shading system inspired by sound waves; similarly undulating forms are repeated throughout the interior. Outdoor terraces at either end of the building and on the roof provide additional gathering and program spaces.