Free Library of Philadelphia: Renovation and Expansion

As some of you know, the Free Library of Philadelphia recently selected Moshe Safdie and Associates Inc. to undertake an expansion of its Central Branch at Logan Circle. The Free Library is one of two buildings in Logan Circle that are replicas of those in the Place de la Concorde in Paris (the other being the Family Court building).

The current building was designed in the Beaux-Arts style by architects Horace Trumbauer and Julian Abele and it opened in June 1927.

You can take a look at the selected design and the other three finalists at the Free Library's site. I have not studied them too long but some initial observations:

The Safdie design looks pleasantly airy and light, but I am worried about the curvy, organic shapes becoming too much of a contrast with the neighboring Family Court and at odds with the staid character of Logan Square. Though some might say, "great -- about time."

Also, all designs seem to have the bulk of their construction and visual impact on the north side of the site. This would, in essence, tuck the design away from view. Anyone familiar with the north side of the library knows that this is a visual blind spot.

This said, I think the Safdie addition seems graceful and the least ponderous of the four. Pretty happy that the Ten Arquitectos proposal was not the winner.

| Philadelphia Inquirer article on Safdie and Free Library |
| Additional visuals at Safdie site |