Staten Island

Located on Canal Street, near the center of Stapleton Village and adjacent to Tappen Park and the Old Village Hall, the Stapleton Branch of The New York Public Library was originally designed by Carrère and Hastings in 1909. To better serve the growing community and its needs in 2013, the library saw a 12,000 square feet expansion that was designed by Andrew Berman Architect. The new library was conceived as a modern public institution that will contribute to the revitalization of the Stapleton neighborhood, and serves as an inviting, open, and accessible public space for the community. With considerable regard to accessibility, the building works with the sloping grade of the land, and was sited such that a new street entrance could be accessed from grade, without steps.

Constructed of glue laminated Douglas fir posts, beams, joists and roof decking, the exposed wood structure provides a sense of rhythm, scale and material richness unexpected in contemporary public buildings. While information is increasingly available and distributed in digital formats, the design team sought to assert the enduring relevance and primacy of the book. The library’s varied collection of books and media can be enjoyed by the readers in ample natural light, owing to the building’s structurally glazed façade. The radiant heating system adds another layer of comfort to the visitors, as it efficiently warms the polished concrete floors.