Renovation and restoration
Boston Public Library
Boston, MA
In a partnership spanning almost 50 years, Shepley Bulfinch has preserved Boston Public Library’s rich history while planning for continued excellence.
Chartered in 1848, the Boston Public Library was the country’s first urban, municipally funded, free public library. The current design for the Central Branch opened in 1895, designed by McKim, Mead, and White. Part of a history of notable architects in Shepley Bulfinch’s lineage, Charles Follen McKim and Stanford White were draftsmen with founder H.H. Richardson in the firm’s early years.
Beginning in 1984, Shepley Bulfinch has worked on the historic building in phases, from adapting the 1895 structure to accommodate contemporary needs to recent master planning efforts.
Restoring a historic icon
Our firm began our partnership with the Boston Public Library 1984, restoring and renovate the historic building in phases, adapting the 1895 structure to accommodate contemporary needs. Work began with the restoration of the Bates Reading Room and continued with the restoration of the Sargent Gallery. Featured throughout is a series of exquisite murals by artists such as John Singer Sargent, Edwin Austin Abbey, and Pierre Puvis de Chavannes. Our efforts enhanced accessibility and engagement with the library’s collections, while preserving its art and architecture for generations to come.
Master planning for future excellence
Over the years, patrons and employees found that the building needed support in adapting to modern needs. The goal of our master plan was to turn the library into a more welcoming, accessible, and easy to navigate space, while strengthening its identity as a significant place for research and scholarship. This was informed by engagement sessions with library staff, external focus groups, and open community meetings.
Our recommendations synthesize goals and building challenges including: improvements to the building to preserve its historic fabric and provide sustainable building systems; enhancement of spaces to promote engagement with the Library’s distinctive collections; and renewal of the building to deliver modern library services. The redesign of Dartmouth Street Plaza will create a more accessible and welcoming entrance, while improving the connection of the McKim Building to adjacent city landmark, Copley Square. Sustainable building systems align with new climate resiliency standards, protect collections, and preserve the building’s art and architecture. The creation of a skylit enclosure above the courtyard gardens will extend use year-round and protect historic facades. Distinctive, vaulted spaces on the third floor, currently closed to the public, will be renewed and reopened, expanding public space by 30%. The ambitious plan, supported by Stoss, as landscape architect and Design Lab, as local associate architect, allows the project to be funded over time, with a series of projects that address specific needs and keep the library open during construction.