Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

CEG collaborated with Martinez+Johnson Architecture (OTJ Architecture) to renovate and transform the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. This 450,000 SF landmark building opened in 1972 and is the only library and structure in D.C. originally designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The renovation revolves around the respect for the original architecture, while updating the aging building to a 21st century modern central library. The new building respects traditional library services, while celebrating current technology and anticipating future innovation. Among the building challenges are 40 years of deferred maintenance, outdated building systems, a failing exterior envelope, and some original design issues that fail to live up to the transparent, open beauty of the building’s concept.

Connections between the four existing floors with lower levels, a fifth floor addition, and a roof garden through bold vertical connections, way finding devices, and natural light enhance the learning and discovery processes essential to the complex. It also recognizes various levels of users and the range of platforms through which they access information. The new building systems address environmental issues and pursue LEED Gold sustainability standards.