A complete renovation of Boston’s Roslindale Branch Library transforms a 1960s building into a neighborhood hub for the digital age with community learning and gathering. Following the geometry of the original building, the open reading space for adults, teens, and children is welcoming, accessible, and “Free To All.” While much of the exterior of the original building remains, a new entry highlighted by a canopy and colorful terracotta baguettes, symbolic of Roslindale’s diverse community, provides universal access. An intimate reading garden is a place of respite in the busy urban setting.

Building Enclosure Magazine features Boston Public Library Roslindale Branch. Read article here: https://t.co/KA8mJd9pD4

“The World Architecture News Awards brings together the most senior and influential professionals from across Architecture to recognise and celebrate excellence. The Awards shine a spotlight on the standout architectural projects and the amazing people and teams behind them.”- WAN

For the 2022 Awards, we have been shortlisted for two of our projects. The Harvard University District Energy Facility has been shortlisted for Urban Landscape. The Auburn University, School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences, Woodland Wonders Preschool was shortlisted for Future Education.

Learn more about Harvard University District Energy Facility: https://www.lwa-architects.com/project/harvard-university-district-energy-facility/

Learn more about Woodland Wonders Nature Preschool: https://www.lwa-architects.com/project/kreher-preserve-nature-center-preschool/

See WAN Shortlist page: https://www.wanawards.com/shortlist-2022

Today is a very special day at Leers Weinzapfel Associates – We are celebrating 40 years as an architecture firm!

Founded in 1982, our practice has had two fundamental goals since it’s inception: to create bold and refined architecture for the public realm and to create a collaborative workplace inclusive of the diverse voices and talents of our colleagues. Learn more about the history of LWA: https://www.lwa-architects.com/commitment/

Happy 40th Birthday Leers Weinzapfel Associates!

Leers Weinzapfel Associates has completely renovated the Boston Public Library’s Roslindale Branch Library for 21^st century use, while respecting and restoring its signature design elements.  A spirited example of mid-century modernism, the library’s unique circular domed space and semi-circular form were the springboard for its re-invention.  A new entry façade provides accessibility and shelter marked by a colorful pattern of multi-colored terra cotta baguettes which echo the diversity of the neighborhood and the book resources within.  An intimate and protected reading garden occupies the small space between the curved volume and the busy street.  Inside the library, a semi-circular open reading space provides greater overall visibility, and a new “reading maze” housing children’s books, peaks young visitors’ curiosity. As both a “community living room” and an “information hub”, this restoration serves as a vibrant piece of the city, restoring the old structure and celebrating the new.

 “Our branch libraries are neighborhood treasures—as hubs of learning and community,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu at the library’s opening. “The Roslindale branch library renovation is a true reflection of our community…our families have this space to meet, read, learn, and play once more.” 

Learn more: https://mailchi.mp/c1cfb289c7dd/communityimpact?e=ce335e7179

In partnership with the Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program we hired 2 Boston Public School students who are interested in pursuing a career in Architecture. The program is organized by the Boston PIC (Private Industry Council), who connect BIPOC students with local businesses in the design and construction industry. In our 7-week paid internship, the students are introduced to the fundamentals of architecture, exposed to various professional and academic paths possible within the architecture field, as well as the general professional development skills necessary for starting down their own path. Our internship allows these students to build up their own portfolio through independent design exercises, and to contribute to real projects by joining various design team discussions in the office. We recently visited the Boston Public Library – Roslindale Branch and used the project as a learning tool for the internship. For many years we have supported other summer programs each year for BPS high school students and other public high school students to gain exposure to architecture; one graduated from college as an artist, and another will graduate with a professional degree in architecture next year.

DNA Paris Awards are a platform that showcases the best and brightest with their annual design contest and award. Their mission is to discover and celebrate fresh and creative designs from all around the world in Architecture, Interior, Landscape, Product, and Graphic Design.

Ohio University Chilled Water Plant #3 has won a 2022 DNA Paris Award in Infrastructure & Transportation category and Boston Public Library, Roslindale Branch has received Honorable Mention in the Refurbishment category.

See press release for Ohio University Chilled Water Plant #3 here: https://dna.paris/winner/zoom.php?eid=71-88751-22

Learn more about Ohio University Chilled Water Plant #3: https://www.lwa-architects.com/project/ohio-university-chilled-water-plant-3/

See press release for BPL Roslindale Branch here: https://dna.paris/winner/zoom.php?eid=71-88800-22

Learn more about BPL Roslindale Branch here: https://www.lwa-architects.com/project/roslindale-library/

The new 56,000 sf District Energy Facility (DEF) sets the stage for a state-of-the-art, cost effective, and sustainable utility generation and distribution system for Harvard’s Allston campus that also makes a significant contribution to the urban design of the campus.

The building’s compact cubic form with rounded corners allows for maximum flexibility of future development around it while maintaining a singular bold and refined presence. A wrapper of anodized aluminum metal fins forms a screen around the facility, with petal-like elements set at varying degrees of openness to reveal or conceal the various equipment areas within. The exterior fins are most open at the structure’s corner entry, and most closed on its service sides. On the public faces of the building, the fins are raised to engage the community through technology on display.

See press release for Harvard District Energy Facility here: https://www.worldbuildingsdirectory.com/entries/harvard-university-district-energy-facility/

On the southwest coast, Kaohsiung, Taiwan must expand its power plant to enable replacement of nuclear power on the island. The site for the new Regional Power Plant and Ecological Park is in an area below sea level within a system of dikes. It is set within a surrounding watery seaside wetlands landscape primarily devoted to fish-farming in a context that is relentlessly flat. The site design for the Ecological Energy Park aims to unite natural and industrial scale systems by providing a variety of spaces and programs for visitors to enjoy while also creating critical habitat for native flora and fauna.

See press release for Jumping Fish Ecological Energy Park here: https://www.worldbuildingsdirectory.com/entries/jumping-fish-ecological-energy-park/

We are honored to receive the Architect’s Newspaper Best of Practice, Northeast Large Firm Award.

“The Architect’s Newspaper acknowledges the work of national leaders in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry through our awards programs. Whether through the realization of captivating projects (recognized through our Best of Design Awards) or the creation of unique items (realized through our Best of Products Awards), AN supports the AEC industry as a trusted source for news, products, developments, trends, and updates.”

“With a clear focus on the cultural and historical context of each project, LWA’s body of work demonstrates that a project’s unique location should result in a building that is responsive. Not defined by style, but more so by a building’s performance, the work seems particularly adept at navigating various typologies.” —Trey Trahan

Learn more: https://www.archpaper.com/2022/07/announcing-winners-2022-best-of-practice-awards/ 

Principal Tom Chung FAIA LEED AP BD+C, Senior Associate Ashley Rao AIA LEED AP, CPHC and Associate Juliet Chun AIA will be hosting a workshop “Living Building Challenge and Beyond: Strategies for Deep Green Envelopes” at The Architect’s Newspaper Facades+ Boston Conference on June 7 from 1:30EST.

Learn more and register here: https://facadesplus.com/boston/agenda/