This eco-friendly, futuristic library is coming to the Bronx by 2025

The international architecture firm, Snøhetta, which recently redesigned 550 Madison Avenue in midtown Manhattan, has released visuals for a new library in the Bronx. The 12,000-square-foot energy-efficient building will open in the Westchester Square neighborhood in 2025. 

The futuristic design project references the Bronx’s status as New York City’s greenest borough. The building will have a glass façade with abstract views of the neighborhood’s treetops. At night, the façade will also radiate light. The vision for this library was developed by Snøhetta, the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), and the New York Public Library (NYPL).

“Snøhetta is proud to have worked with DDC on a collection of transformative projects across New York City, from the reconstruction of Times Square to the creation of new branch libraries in Far Rockaway, and now, Westchester Square in the Bronx,” said Craig Dykers, Snøhetta Founding Partner. 

In addition to paying homage to the Bronx’s greenery, the library’s glass facade will filter incoming sunlight, allowing the building to reduce its energy usage. Other environmentally-friendly design solutions include an array of solar panels, rainwater recycling, and “a high-performance envelope”, according to Architect News. 

The two-story interior space is designed around the need for light and views. The building’s most active areas, such as new spaces for children, teens, and young adults, could be easily viewed from outside. Visitors will also have access to a new street-level garden that will double as a water retention and filtration system. 

The Westchester Square Library will appear next to the historic Huntington Free Library, which opened in 1891. The construction will begin sometime in 2023, and the library might open its door to the first visitors as early as 2025. 

Resources:

“Westchester Square Library Will be Snøhetta’s Latest Project with the New York City Department of Design and Construction,” (Snøhetta, 2022)

“Snøhetta unveils green design for new Westchester Square Library in the Bronx,” by Josh Niland (Architect News, 2022)

“Snøhetta-designed Bronx library features a green glass facade inspired by trees,” by Aaron Ginsburg (6sqft, 2022)

“snøhetta's green library design in new york draws from verdant tree canopies of the bronx,” by myrto katsikopoulou (designboom, 2022)

“This super cool, futuristic library is opening in the Bronx by 2025,” by Anna Rahmanan (Time Out, 2023)

“Snøhetta Announces Design for Library in The Bronx, USA,” by Paula Cano (ArchDaily, 2022)