Stonington Library Limited competition

The new Library/Archive is placed behind the existing house to assure that the frontal dominance and figure of the Captain Palmer House on Palmer Street remains unchanged. Its position along North Water Street screens the back of the existing house while presenting a public face to the side. It also completes and extends the implied garden court formed by existing buildings, trees, fence posts etc. The simple figure and repetitions of the new building compliment but contrast with the more complex domestic order of the house.. The sloped path leads from the parking area to the deck at the level of the existing and proposed buildings. The ramp up to the deck gives handicap access to both to the house and the addition.


Entrance is directly off the deck into the entry hall. The Card File area, overlooked by the Librarian, is where research begins with both card files and computers. Requests for materials and/or permission to enter the other areas of the Library can then be presented to the Librarian. The interior perimeter of the Library is characterized by a thick wall which modulates natural light and forms a series of alcoves for various purposes but are mostly devoted to which means a scholar can bring the documents to be studied to the natural light at the perimeter. .


Both the existing house and budget considerations suggest a straightforward wood frame building as proposed. The exterior walls, clad in siding of two sizes and various trim boards would be painted white. The roof as shown is lead coated copper which weathers to a dull gray and is both extremely durable and fire resistant.

Location: Historical Society

Stonington

Connecticut

Location

Historical Society

Stonington

Connecticut

Size

5,000 square feet

Size

5,000 square feet

Completion

1998

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