MLK Jr. Library; Presentations for Redesign

UPDATE: NBC Channel 4' Tom Sherwood is reporting that DCPL has picked  Mecanoo, Martinez & Johnson Architecture for the redesign of the Martin Luther King Jr Library. (see last set of renderings in this article) So I guess that means that there will be very little change to the libraries exterior. The design concept will also add residential and commercial space. The new residential addition will be on three levels (see pic below) adding to the buildings height, and will be made up of studio's, one and two-bedroom apartments.The announcement will come tomorrow Tuesday 18th February. (It's now Official 2/18/14)
Original Post
The D.C. Public Library released renderings Friday (2/7/2014) by the three architectural teams selected to present their ideas for the redesign of the Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Note: All the designs will be on display at the MLK Library, neighborhood libraries. There is a public meeting on Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. at the Martin Luther King Library).
The three teams are;
  • Mecanoo, Martinez & Johnson Architecture
  • Patkau Architects, Ayers Saint Gross, Krueck & Sexton Architects
  • STUDIOS Architecture, The Freelon Group
It should be noted that "No decisions have been made on the type or extent of the renovations or additions to the library," today's library press release said. "All three groups were asked to design both a standalone library and a more elaborate mixed-use project that would incorporate both the library and some commercial or residential functions".The library, at 901 G Street NW, was designed by modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and was designated a historic landmark in 2007. No decision has been made to make any changes to the library, although most, including Mayor Gray, believe that something has to be done with the both the interior and exterior of the structure. DC has budgeted $103 million (over the next 5 years) for the libraries improvement, and are hoping for significant private investment to boost that if it is decided to go ahead with the likes of today's 3 presentations.
Here are the renderings from the three presentations;

1. STUDIOS Architecture, The Freelon Group

 
 

 2. Patkau Architects, Ayers Saint Gross, Krueck & Sexton Architects
 
 
 
 
3. Mecanoo, Martinez & Johnson Architecture
 
 
 
The individual responses and presentations by the three firms are to big to add into this article, so if you want to research each proposal individually here is the link
More to come on this as things move forward

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