Closing Bell: Greenpoint Library Gets $5 Million Grant to Build Environmental Center
The Brooklyn Public Library has received a $5,000,000 grant to build an environmental education center on top of the Greenpoint Library, according to a press release. The library has released some interesting renderings and plans for the project, which will add two more floors and a public roof deck to the single-story library located at 107 Norman Avenue….
The Brooklyn Public Library has received a $5,000,000 grant to build an environmental education center on top of the Greenpoint Library, according to a press release. The library has released some interesting renderings and plans for the project, which will add two more floors and a public roof deck to the single-story library located at 107 Norman Avenue. The 6,500-square-foot Greenpoint Environmental Education Center will feature a community composting space, a greenhouse with herb gardens, wind turbines, native plants, event space and classrooms.
The design from Beatty Harvey Coco Architects adds lots of windows and plantings to the one-story brick building with a mansard roof, built in 1973. In addition to the large public roof deck, the renovation will add a smaller roof terrace on top of the first floor. The LEED Silver-certified environmental hub will incorporate a host of “green” building materials, including rooftop solar panels, rainwater collection, energy efficient windows and high efficiency heating and cooling systems.
This funding comes from the Greenpoint Community Enviromental Fund, a state-run program that manages the $19,500,000 settlement awarded to the state over the ExxonMobil oil spill in Newtown Creek. Last month, Greenpoint residents voted on the second round of community projects vying for a piece of the settlement, and the library’s education center is one of the six proposals that won.
Click through for floorplans and an aerial rendering. There will be an opportunity for public feedback on the design and the programming.
The project is expected to wrap in 2018. What do you think of it?
Renderings by Beatty Harvey Coco Architects via BPL; photo by Christopher Bride for PropertyShark
First Floor:
Second Floor:
Third Floor:
Overhead rendering:
The existing library:
This design just isn’t good enough. Its a poorly arranged jumble of cliched architectural elements. After looking at BHC Architects’ portfolio its clear that they are a very bland corporate firm that lacks a strong vision. I don’t understand how they got this job.
Greenpoint deserves better. Its a huge opportunity to create a unique building. This is happening at a time when Brooklyn is home to many excellent architecture firms who are creating ground breaking work around the world.