Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library // OEHME, VAN SWEDEN

Textual content description offered by the architects.

OvS was chosen to develop the Martin Luther King Library panorama by way of building, a part of a crew that features Mecanoo and OTJ Architects.The one library that Mies van der Rohe ever designed, the Martin Luther King Jr. Library can also be Washington DC’s solely work by this big of Modernist structure.

As such, its panorama redesign provides a very reasonable image of the work with historic buildings typically undertaken by the agency.Such tasks current a particular problem: the requirement to create a contemporary panorama that addresses the wants of up to date customers, whereas additionally respecting the historic context of the constructing.Two in depth inexperienced roofs, one overlaying a newly-constructed upper-level deck, whole over 26,000 sq. ft.

Their drought-tolerant sedum plantings seize stormwater, mitigate the warmth island impact, and function a viewing backyard, as these landscapes shall be seen from the encircling (and taller) workplace buildings.

On the floor degree, the slender, back-of-house terrace is expanded by the removing of a parking storage ramp. This new, exterior out of doors café house will embody shade-tolerant planting, amphitheater seating, monolithic granite benches, and casual café tables and chairs.

Alongside the general public right-of-way, avenue timber are maintained however their planters are expanded to contribute panorama to DC’s public realm.

Re-installation and restore of enormous granite pavers surrounding the constructing reinforces a loyalty to the great thing about Mies van der Rohe’s authentic design, complementing the library’s enhancement with new shapes, colours, textures, and supplies.

A 17,250 square-foot exterior amenity terrace on the fifth ground gives ample house for personal occasions and enhances instructional alternatives for the library’s youthful customers.

Area is formed by large-scale, intensive planters with floating wooden slat benches, and so they showcase a Native Pollinator Backyard, Backyard of the Senses, and Seasonal Viewing Backyard..