Snøhetta’s design for the Far Rockaway Library has opened in the borough of Queens, New York City.
The $39m project will act as a community space and educational resource for the regeneration of Downtown Far Rockaway.
The Norwegian architect’s design joins a 1968 original that is fondly remembered as providing shelter during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
The two-storey structure is twice the size of the original and has an unusual glass façade that adds daylight and views of the sky to the interior.
The glass is coloured orange and fritted to create a transparent and translucent effect. It is covered by a mural designed by Brooklyn-based artist José Parlá, made up of words depicting daily life in the city.
The vitreous theme continues in the library’s atrium, which has a railing made of “dichroic” glass, which changes colour depending on the angle it is seen from.
The library also contains a frieze by Mexican artist Pablo Helguera called “Feynman Code”. The title refers to the diagrams depicting the interaction of subatomic particles invented by Nobel-Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, who grew up in the neighbourhood.
The 18,000 sq ft structure meets LEED Gold standards for environmental efficiency, thanks in part to its “blue” roof, which is designed to release storm water from the site at a slow speed to reduce the risk of overwhelming the local drainage.
Craig Dykers, Snøhetta’s founding partner, said: “Our design for the Far Rockaway library is focused on connecting the diverse communities in the area through an architecture supporting joy and learning. The vibrant colours and daylit interiors are inspired by the many groups that call the area home.”
