Somerville West Branch Library Project Receives Architectural Honor

SOMERVILLE, MA — The Somerville West Branch Library renovation and restoration was one of 150 architectural projects selected for the 2022 American Architectural Awards.

The awards, which were presented in December, are for new buildings and urban planning projects in the U.S. and abroad constructed by American architects and by international architects with offices in the U.S.

Now, in their 28th year, the American Architecture Awards are organized by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

According to representatives from the American Architecture Awards, the awards are "the nation's highest and oldest public awards given by a non-commercial, non-trade affiliated, public arts, culture, and educational institution."

The 150 projects selected as winners were chosen from a shortlist of 400 by a jury of independent Italian architects, educators and planners.

"For 28 years, The American Architecture Awards have celebrated the best contemporary architecture and highlighted the many ways buildings and spaces can improve lives," said Christian Narkiewicz-Laine, an architecture critic and the president of the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture. "This year's winning projects are also characterized as exuding urban generosity, a sense of dignity, and timelessness — the absolute paramount definition of Good Design."

The West Branch project, located at 40 College Ave., was designed by DesignLAB Architects of Boston and was completed between 2018 and 2021.

According to DesignLAB's website, the project was designed to "present the historic Carnegie (style) library (built in 1909) through a 21st-century lens."

The project involved a gut renovation of the interior spaces, plus a contemporary new addition that complemented the historic structure. The upper level of the library, which previously was occupied by stacks, now houses the new children's area. The lower level now has a multi-purpose community room and a maker space.

"The West Branch Library project represents a fundamental shift in library design, from the library as a 'grocery store' — a place to check out resources for use at home — to a 'kitchen '— a place to experiment, collaborate, and create," DesignLAB said in a statement about the project. "This shift requires a fundamental rethinking of library design, away from a singular repository for resources, and toward a space that fosters engagement, curiosity, and the creation of knowledge."

Cathy Piantigini, director of libraries for the City of Somerville, said the architects had succeeded in giving the historic library a contemporary update and creating an asset for the whole community.

"By doing the renovation and the restoration, what we've been able to offer — not just the West Sommerville community but really the entire city — is a beautiful space that is free and open to literally anybody who wants to come through our doors," Piantigini said.