Brooklyn Public Library – Adams Street Library

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Location
Brooklyn, NY
Project Type
Fit-Out
Duration
28 weeks
Square Footage
6,565 sf
Partners
WORKac

Brooklyn Public Library’s newest branch at 9 Adams Street in Dumbo marks its 60th location and the first new library in Brooklyn since 1983. The renovation transformed the ground floor of a historic 1901 manufacturing building into over 6,500 square feet of community-focused space, featuring flexible meeting rooms, modern technology, and dedicated areas for books and resources.

The library’s design includes 15-foot windows with views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, a whimsical children’s area elevated to offer views, and a separate space for teens. Two large murals by Dumbo-based Link By Air reflect the neighborhood’s industrial history, while the building’s exterior is adorned with bright orange “Library” lettering, making it a vibrant cultural hub for the Vinegar Hill, DUMBO, and Farragut Houses communities.

Recognition

  • AIA NY Honor Award in Architecture 2023
  • ENR Best Culture/Worship Project and Sustainability Award of Merit
  • 2022 MASterworks Award for Best Adaptive Reuse
  • 2022 Interior Design NYCxDesign Award Winner in Institutional
  • 2022 AIA/ALA Library Building Award

Other Brooklyn Public Library Projects

Exterior wall of Adams Street Library with a mural of the word Library on the wall
Gregg Richards
Brooklyn skyline and view of river and bridge with Adams Street Library visible in distance
Gregg Richards
Modern and brick interior of Adams Street Library with bookshelves and children's seating
Gregg Richards
Children's room in Adams Street Library with brightly colored decorations and bookshelves
Gregg Richards
Bookshelves and a large table at the Adams Street Library
Gregg Richards
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Exterior wall of Adams Street Library with a mural of the word Library on the wall
Brooklyn skyline and view of river and bridge with Adams Street Library visible in distance
Modern and brick interior of Adams Street Library with bookshelves and children's seating
Children's room in Adams Street Library with brightly colored decorations and bookshelves
Bookshelves and a large table at the Adams Street Library