Rendering of new public library
Eastham, MA – Nauset Construction recently broke ground for a $6.8 million project that will provide the town of Eastham with a new state-of-the-art public library while preserving and enhancing a portion of the town’s historic single-room library building constructed in 1897 by a group of townspeople called the Village Improvement Society.
Following the demolition of the existing 9,300sf structure, a two-story, wood-framed, 18,000sf , energy-efficient (LEED Gold targeted) facility will be constructed in its place.
Nauset is teaming with Oudens Ello Architecture. P-Three Inc. of Norwell is serving as the owner’s project manager.
The new library will overlook one of the town’s many ponds, and will be set back to allow the historic section of the building — which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places — to serve as a headpiece to the new library. Design features include large, energy-efficient windows that maximize the amount of natural light coming into the building while also offering panoramic views of Depot Pond and the new outdoor garden. The orientation and slope of the new roof will also allow for the use of energy-producing photovoltaic panels in the near future.
Rendering of aerial view of new library
The upper level will consist of a lobby, a 110-seat multipurpose community room, circulation desk, and an adult reading room (with a gas fireplace) and stacks, and is arranged around a central reading garden to take full advantage of the dramatic pond views. The lower level will house the children and young adult areas, with direct access to an outdoor program area. The building design maximizes flexibility of use, both during normal library hours as well as during off-hour community use, and promotes adaptability to future program changes, while also incorporating the latest in green building technologies. Nauset will also construct a 52-space parking lot over the new nitrogen-reducing septic system, replacing the existing parking lot currently located within the wetland buffer to ensure against any negative impact on the water quality of the pond.
Construction is now under way and is expected to be completed in early 2016. In the meantime, Eastham residents will utilize a 2,100sf trailer that is located adjacent to Eastham’s Town Hall to meet their library needs.
