Scope of Work

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The Hyde Park Library represents the happy marriage of old and new, which earned it the 2001 AIA Honor Award for Architecture. This complex and detailed project involved the complete restoration and renovation of an existing historical structure as well as the new construction of a 30,700 sf addition. The expansion was designed to address changes in the social circumstances of the library over its one hundred year history, while restoring its significance as a focus for the community. The project was completed in two phases in order to provide for continual maintenance of library operations.

 

The first phase centered on construction of the new addition which features glass facades on two sides of the building and brick and granite that match the existing library. The addition is a transparent counterbalance to the imposing grandeur of the original building. The second phase involved major excavation of the sloped site since most of the new library was placed underground. The basement level of the existing library was excavated to thee feet below its original grade and the foundation was underpinned to provide structural support to facilitate this expansion. This also allowed for the newly renovated spaces to be connected to the new addition.

 

During this second phase, Boston Building & Bridge both renovated and refurbished the entire existing facility to preserve and restore all of its original design.