Bayard T. School Library

New York, USA
Photo © Atelier Pagnamenta Torriani
Photo © Atelier Pagnamenta Torriani
Photo © Atelier Pagnamenta Torriani
Visualization © Atelier Pagnamenta Torriani
Architekci
Atelier Pagnamenta Torriani
Year
2012

This elementary school which serves more than 700 students has been open since the 1890s and is located within the historic C.B.J. Snyder building on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, facing the neighborhood’s Carnegie Library.

The library at this elementary school is located within the historic 1895 C.B.J. Snyder building on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, facing the neighborhood’s Carnegie Library. The school wanted us to create flexible spaces with a contemporary flair. APT decided to incorporate existing historic elements into a contemporary design that created a variety of new spaces where students, teachers, and parents could study, lounge and discuss.

We kept the historic aspects intact but added a new high undulating ceiling with integrated lighting, wood paneling with inbuilt shelving, and poured seamless flooring.

A stepped niche at the windowed corner became the storytelling area, with low storage for children. Computer tables were placed near the librarian’s desk. The sequence of spaces is articulated by modular and movable furniture that can be reconfigured easily, providing the client with the desired flexibility.

The new discrete LED lighting, the environmentally friendly and healthy materials and technologies throughout the renovated space make this library a bridge between community traditions and contemporary standards

Publications & Exhibitions

2013 ArchDaily "Public School 158 Bayard Taylor Library"
2013 Plataforma Arquitectura "Library of the Public School Bayard Taylor"
2012 CultureNOW "Public School 158 Bayard Taylor Library"
2012 Open House New York, Featured Site

This project is part of Atelier Pagnamenta Torriani’s architectural acupuncture interventions in NYC: a transformative series of public school libraries that are expanding their educational purpose by rebuilding communities through culture.


Related Projects

  • Shanghai Suhe MixC World
    KOKAISTUDIOS
  • Welcome to the Stage!
    Kjellander Sjöberg
  • Hovering Kan-Too – Great Bay Area Center Showroom
    Wutopia Lab
  • Stockwell-Rodríguez Residence
    Belmont Freeman Architects
  • Haunsbergstraße | 1. Preis
    Architektinnen Schremmer.Jell ZT GmbH

Magazine

Other Projects by Atelier Pagnamenta Torriani

A. E. Smith School Library
Bronx, USA
FB Pavilion & House
San Diego, USA
J. Jabbra Library and R. Nassar Central Administration
Jbeil, Lebanon
Mariners Harbor Library
Staten Island, USA
Wagner School Library
New York, USA