Inside the Carnegie Library, the project team removed several non-original components, including a tiered theater, the elevated map floor, and infilled offices and gallery space, which were preventing daylight from drawing into the center of the building. The original grand staircase benefited from cleaning and repainting of its cast-iron balustrade, the removal of glue stains left by a previously installed carpet runner, the honing of its marble treads and risers, and a new bronze handrail to improve accessibility. On the lower level, the project team conducted a structural intervention, returning the staircase to its historic orientation.
Elsewhere on the lower level, the beauty of a Guastavino-tiled ceiling had been obscured by paint during a previous renovation. In addition, contemporary lighting fixtures had been added to the vaulted ceilings, damaging many of the historic tiles. A painstaking process of paint removal and repointing followed, ensuring the architectural integrity of the space, which today houses a gallery of historic photographs and documents about the building.
Throughout the project, the team used archival photographs and original construction blueprints to carefully recreate original plaster cornices, window surrounds and pilasters that had been removed in previous renovations. On the second floor, the project team restored three original plaster laylights, as well as a terrazzo floor with a mosaic tile border. Windows that had been fixed in place during previous renovations were once again made operable, original wood windows were restored and most of the glazing was retrofitted for greater energy efficiency.
CONTEMPORARY TOUCHES
A light and selective touch was applied in upgrading the Carnegie Library for contemporary use. The building’s grand entry plaza, which faces south onto K Street, was re-sloped to improve physical accessibility. The project team also replaced an existing non-historic northern entrance to the building on Mount Vernon Place, which creates a more inviting presence for visitors arriving from the nearby Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Metro Station and Shaw District. In addition, new exterior lighting was added, allowing for all four of the building’s restored façades to be showcased to the public.
While largely invisible to visitors of the Carnegie Library, all building systems were upgraded or newly installed in the structure’s hidden chases, existing shafts and other vertical pathways. Custom linear diffusers were required and were discreetly incorporated into the Apple display fixtures and historic wall. When weather permits, passive ventilation is possible, thanks to the installation of operable windows and the use of louvers at the top of the skylit atrium. The project team also worked with Apple to integrate Apple retail fixtures into the restored interiors.
Prior to the restoration, the DC History Center had faced regular threats to its archives and operations because of systemic water infiltration. Furthermore, its research library lacked visibility by the public. The project improvements included upgrades to both public spaces and archival storage spaces for the DC History Center. Coupled with the serendipity of visitors arriving for retail purposes and staying to explore the non-profit’s galleries, these improvements have helped the DC History Center achieve a significant increase in foot traffic.
Today, the Carnegie Library honors Ackerman & Ross’s original design and celebrates Andrew Carnegie’s vision for the building: a center of knowledge for all. The community’s relationship with the site, including Mount Vernon Square’s adjacent green space, has been reenergized through the restoration and overall reactivation of the historic Carnegie Library.
Retrofit Team
Client: Apple Inc.
Architecture and Historic Preservation: Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP
General Contractor: Grunley Construction Co. Inc.
Masonry Conservation Specialist: EverGreene Architectural Arts
Masonry Restoration Contractor: Lorton Stone LLC
Lighting: Claude R. Engle Lighting Consultant
Structural Engineer: Silman
MEP Engineer: TES Engineering
Civil Engineer: Gordon
Materials
Cleaning System: ROTEC VORTEX by Quintek
Skylight, Glass Storefronts and Glazed Balustrades: Gartner
Stone Consolidation: Prosoco
Wood Window Restoration: The Craftsmen Group Inc.
Acoustical Plaster Finish: Even Better Silk by Fellert
Guastavino Tile Restoration: ATS Studios
Exterior Façade Uplighting: ERCO
Terrazzo Flooring: Roman Mosaic & Tile Co.