Martin Luther King Jr.

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Design ArchitectMecanoo
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ArchitectMartinez+Johnson Architecture
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Project CompletionSeptember 2020
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Project Budget$160,000,000
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C., originally designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, underwent a transformative renovation led by CEG and Martinez+Johnson Architecture (OTJ Architecture). This 450,000 SF landmark, first opened in 1972, is D.C.’s only Mies-designed structure and required modernization while preserving its iconic architectural integrity.
The renovation focused on updating aging infrastructure while enhancing accessibility and user experience. A new fifth floor and rooftop garden were added, linked by striking staircases and improved wayfinding to create a clearer navigation flow. The revitalized library balances traditional library services with modern technology, incorporating a maker space, a café with indoor/outdoor seating, and a children’s library featuring a multi-level slide.
Addressing decades of deferred maintenance, the project modernized building systems, improved environmental sustainability, and achieved LEED Gold certification. The result is a 21st-century central library that honors its past while anticipating future innovation in public learning spaces.
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