Eastham Public Library
Eastham, MA – Nauset Construction recently completed the $6.8 million new Eastham Public Library.
Designed by Oudens Ello Architecture, the 18,000sf structure nearly doubles the space of the previous building, providing a state-of-the-art library facility while incorporating the restored original historic one-room library building (constructed in 1897 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places) into the new design. P-Three Inc. of Norwell served as the owner’s project manager.
The original, preserved room serves as the “headpiece” for the new library, welcoming visitors into the newly constructed facility that features large, energy-efficient windows designed to maximize the amount of natural light coming into the building. The upper level of the two-tiered building consists of a lobby, a 110-seat multipurpose community room, the circulation desk, and an adult reading room (with a natural-gas fireplace), arranged around a central reading garden to take full advantage of the dramatic water views.
The new library has incorporated the latest in green building technologies, including a roof design that will allow for the installation of energy-producing photovoltaic panels in the near future.
A 52-space parking lot was constructed over the new nitrogen-reducing septic system — replacing the parking lot previously located within the wetland buffer. This will ensure against any negative impact on the water quality of the pond. The completed project is qualified for USGBC LEED Silver certification.
-more-
The project was not without its trials. The record-setting winter of 2014-2015 caused delays at the start of construction, and the preservation and restoration of the historic one-room library presented significant coordination and engineering challenges. This building section had to be carefully separated and set aside via crane in order to protect it during the demolition of the balance of the existing structure. It was then restored and tied back into the newly constructed library.
“This project was a testament to the power of committed collaboration between all of the stakeholders – from incorporating the historic structure into the new library, to protecting the wetlands, to building on a tight site,” said Nauset Construction President, Anthony Papantonis.
This is the second collaboration between the Nauset and Oudens Ello teams, which in 2014 successfully completed a similar library project for the Town of West Tisbury. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place November 15th following the connection to the Town of Eastham’s water system
