Free Library of Philadelphia
CulturalLOCATION: | Philadalphia, PA |
COMPLETED: | 2019 |
SIZE: | 45,000 sq. ft. |
OWNERS: | Free Library of Philadelphia |
ARCHITECT: | Safdie Architects |
PHOTOGRAPHER: | © Halkin Mason Photography |
DESIGN TEAM: | Glenn Heinmiller |
Lisa Wong | |
The interior renovation of the Free Library of Philadelphia, located in a 90-year-old Beaux Arts building in Logan Square, aims to restore the building to its original grandeur, while creating new public spaces for the library of the 21st century. The Architect’s vision of a trellis ceiling comes to life with custom direct/indirect fixtures, integrated within the existing beams of the ceiling. Fitting between non-symmetrical beam spacings, the light fixtures provide a grand gesture of a pattern, spanning from the great reading room all the way through to the meeting rooms and study areas along the building’s perimeter, and throughout all floors of the library. The light levels are controlled through various scenes to allow for flexibility between daytime, nighttime, and evening events.