West End, Cleveland Park Libraries Receive Architectural Honors

Washington, D.C - Two of the newest DC Public Library buildings are 2019 honorees of the Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|DC). The West End Library won the 2019 DC Chapter Design award and the Cleveland Park Library received the 2019 Urban Catalyst award.
“Our city’s renaissance has been the result of our ongoing commitment to investing in public amenities and services, and, in that work, we have been very focused on ensuring we’re bringing our public libraries to life,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Today, our neighborhood libraries are not only hubs of innovation, education and community engagement, they’re also beautiful spaces. We’re proud of this recognition and proud to be part of a community that is committed to building modern, inclusive libraries that meet the needs of our residents and visitors.”

“I am incredibly proud of the work of the teams that designed these libraries,” said Richard Reyes
-Gavilan, executive director of the DC Public Library. “These awards acknowledge the work of good design in creating spaces that support the idea that libraries can be places of transformation. These new libraries will please, serve and inspire their communities for decades to come.”

The West End Library is the 17th library to be renovated or rebuilt and the first to be part of a residential development in the District. Located at 2310 L St. NW, the library’s interior was designed by CORE architecture + design, a Georgetown-based firm.

Located at 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, the Cleveland Park Library is the 19th library to be renovated or rebuilt, and the first new library to be built in a historic district. The design/build team of Gilbane and Perkins Eastman DC worked the project in partnership with Saxon Collaborative under the Library’s Mentor-Protégé program.

AIA|DC's awards program recognizes excellence in architecture, interior architecture, historic resources and urban design/master planning. Since 2009, the District has invested half of a billion dollars renovating and rebuilding library buildings. To date, nearly half of the 20 District-rebuilt or renovated libraries have received honors from AIA|DC.