Building for the Future with the Construction of an Addition

Designed by Robert A. M. Stern

Click Play on the presentation above to see a slide show on the architecture of Robert H. Robertson and Robert A.M. Stern with preliminary plans for the new addition to Pequot Library.

Pequot Library, which has served Southport and the surrounding region since it was founded in 1887, has plans for a beautiful and appropriately-scaled addition that will complete the renovation it began in 2004 and meet the long range goals of the Library and the community it serves. Designed by the noted architect Robert A. M. Stern, this addition will provide the Library with urgently needed additional space to serve its rapidly growing constituency. Pequot Library has, from the beginning, been a remarkable place. Pequot Library brings literature, music, art, and learning into the lives of Fairfield citizens of all ages. It is a place where children are welcome and introduced to the magic of reading. It is a center for civic pride. It is one of the finest small libraries in the State, enriching the cultural lives and providing unique educational resources for children and adults of all ages. Pequot Library is a place of continuity and tradition, where members of the community are brought together in a unique inter-generational environment. It is also a place of innovation, where the latest and best Library practices are identified and adopted early. Public libraries are cornerstones of a community’s culture and heritage. Pequot Library is an extraordinary example of an institution that binds the rich history of its region to a vibrant learning environment—bringing together past and future generations in a shared world of books and ideas.

Pequot Library’s historic building is one of Connecticut’s architectural treasures, but it is inadequate in many ways:

• The children’s library is cramped and does not meet fire and building code.
• Our Special Collection is in storage waiting for our new addition to be built.
• The Library lacks a high-tech community class room or “learning common.”

The Library launched a two-phase capital improvement project in 2004. In Phase I, the historic portion of the building was restored and all the essential systems of the Library—electrical, security, fire safety, etc.—were upgraded. This restoration won a Historic Preservation Award from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation upon its completion in 2006.

The Library has recently launched the Capital Campaign for Phase II which involves the construction of a 19,800 square foot addition to the original building. That original building was designed by the eminent 19th century architect, Robert Robertson, and the addition is being designed by one of America’s best known architects of the 21st century, Robert A. M. Stern—a perfect match to ensure the building remain the architectural treasure it has been from the beginning.

Serving the Future through the Robert A.M. Stern Addition

The Library’s plan for the new addition was developed over the course of many years. Throughout this planning period, the community has been involved through focus groups, surveys, and neighborhood meetings. In addition, a thorough study of Library needs was conducted by volunteers, the Board, staff members, and library design professionals. The resulting plan incorporates in the most efficient and cost-effective manner the solutions to the needs defined during the planning process.

In 2006, following the completion of the renovation of the historic portion of the Library, the architect Robert A. M. Stern was engaged to develop a conceptual design for a beautiful new addition that will provide it with appropriate spaces it needs to continue to fulfill its mission and allow it to fully serve the region.

The addition will provide the children of the community with the spaces they deserve, a center where the Library’s invaluable Special Collections can be brought back home and fully utilized by the community and regional educational institutions, such as local high schools, Fairfield University, and Sacred Heart University. It will provide a high-tech class room fully fitted out with the latest in computer and internet technology where students of all ages can supplement what is available at the library itself with resources from around the world and where they can reach out to other students around the world in a collaborative learning environment.

The addition will beautifully complement the existing building—deferring to it, using some of its design vocabulary without being a mere copy. It will bring together one of the foremost American architects of this century—Robert A. M. Stern—with one of the most prolific and gifted architects of the 19th century—Robert H. Robertson. The plans for the new addition have grace and elegance, and provide a number of features that will enrich the community.

The parking lot will be expanded to 74 spaces, almost double the current number. The lot will extend to the railroad tracks and to the east border of the property, but will not encroach into the front lawn of the Library. This will go a long way toward alleviating the problem of cars parking along Pequot Avenue and Westway Road during our popular events at the Library.

The building will at least meet the requirements for LEEDs Silver Certification under the auspices of the United States Green Building Council. Our general contractor will be a Connecticut firm, and the project will have a significant impact on the local economy.

Conclusion

The building that the Library calls home is itself a national architectural treasure.  Designed by Robert H. Robertson, the Library owes much of its ambiance to his original design. In 2006, the Library completed an extensive and careful restoration of the building, funded entirely by private donations that will guarantee this important Fairfield landmark will be preserved for generations to come.

The addition must be equally conducive to preserving the character of the Library and the community in which it is located. The design produced by Robert A. M. Stern does exactly that while providing the Library with the carefully thought out functional plan that will ensure it can continue to provide the very best in Library Services.