The Sunset Park public library project in Brooklyn not only revitalized one of the borough’s busiest branches, it also combines public library facilities with 100% affordable housing—a first for New York City, says the project team. The 20,000-sq-ft library, which is nearly double the size of its predecessor, occupies the first two and a half levels of an eight-story building.

“This library is a critical community hub,” says David Margolius, executive vice president of contractor Shawmut Design and Construction’s New York metro region. “It’s a welcoming space created to connect, uplift and empower generations to come.”

The ambitious integration of a public library with affordable housing within a single structure required meticulous coordination among the project’s design and construction members, its stakeholders as well as with the affordable housing team, according to the submission.

Photo courtesy Shawmut Design and Construction

To manage the distinct project needs of the library and residential components, separate entrances were created to maintain their clear identities and functions.

The facility features the borough’s largest dedicated teen area, a recording studio and a flexible community program room. A second-floor roof deck provides outdoor space for both residents and library programs—fostering community interaction and engagement.

The inclusion of a light well along the Fourth Avenue facade brings natural light into the lower levels, enhancing the interior environment without expanding the building footprint. Two large-scale murals aim to reflect the diversity and vibrancy of the Sunset Park community.

Beyond its library functions, the building includes essential community resources such as bicycle storage, high-speed internet, Wi-Fi in common areas and a 45-kW rooftop solar array. Installation of the array required specialized expertise and close collaboration among the design and engineering team members to integrate it into the design.

Photo courtesy Shawmut Design and Construction

The construction team had to work within a constrained footprint. Careful logistics planning was required to minimize disruption to the surrounding community. The team navigated unforeseen elements throughout the project, including supply chain disruptions and evolving safety protocols during construction.

The team used prefabricated components and building information modeling to aid in more precise and efficient construction planning and execution, minimizing disruptions and ensuring a smoother workflow.

Completed on time and on budget in November 2023, the one-year project tallied no recordable incidents and no lost-time accidents.

The completed project delivers a modern, expansive library that can better serve the community’s needs. For residents, it provides much-needed affordable housing integrated with valuable community resources.

“Sunset Park has always been one of our busiest libraries, and we’re thrilled to welcome the neighborhood back to a new space built on a foundation not only of concrete, but of community input, engagement and passion,” says Linda Johnson, Brooklyn Public Library president and CEO.