Boston Public Library South End Branch

FieLDworkshop worked with the Friends of the South End Library to renovate the 1971 building originally designed by Mitchell/Giurgola Architects (now MGA Partners in Philadelphia). Our team engaged the community of neighbors, users and staff in identifying current challenges and future needs, designed various concepts for renovation and expansion, developed a phasing plan, helped advocate with the city and BPL administration to gain project approval, and prepared fundraising materials for a successful campaign that far exceeded its original goals.  As part of these efforts to create a new vision for this remarkable building, we invited MGA Partners’ Dan Kelley to give a talk at the branch about the history of the original design. The proposed phased concept plan by FLDW included a reconfiguration of the entry, relocation of the circulation desk and computer area, creation of a community living room with a neighborhood history section, a small conference room for community services and study groups, a new teen area, and reorganized staff space.  Later FLDW advised on the implementation of the first phase of renovation, including spatial layout, color palette, furniture selections and budgeting. The newly renovated first floor provided much needed reorganization of space and update of finishes in the short term while the library goes through a programming study for long term plans.