McAuliffe Soars Again in Framingham

Dedication for the New Christa McAuliffe Branch Library in Framingham, Massachusetts on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 1:00 p.m.

After nearly a year and a half of construction, the new Christa McAuliffe branch library in Framingham has opened its doors. Named for the Framingham native who died in the 1986 Challenger space shuttle explosion, the new branch, at nearly 17,000 square feet, is almost triple the size of the old Christa McAuliffe branch library in Framingham's Saxonville neighborhood.

On Sunday, May 15 from 1-3:30 p.m. the public is invited to a dedication celebration with library staff, town and state officials, and members of Christa McAuliffe's family. Framingham Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 929 will raise an American flag that flew over NASA headquarters on the flag pole the VFW donated to the library.

Key features of the new branch library at 746 Water Street in the town's Nobscot village area include a meeting and program room with a capacity of 50 people, 21 Internet-connected personal computers, two study rooms, and on site parking for 55 cars.

Designed by Finegold Alexander Architects of Boston and constructed by Lupachino/Salvatore of Bloomfield, Connecticut, the new building has a soaring, modern design with 5,200 square feet of windows to maximize the use of natural light.

The new McAuliffe was designed as a “green” building that represents best-in-class building strategies and practices and sustainability. Construction of the building required 1300 tons of concrete and 77 tons of steel, 18 subcontractors, and its one mile of shelving contain nearly 70,000 books and other materials.

For more information, visit www.fplf.org.

DESIGN INSPIRATION FOR THE MCAULIFEE BRANCH LIBRARY - Designed by Tony Hsaio, Design Director, Finegold Alexander Architects

Background on the Design Process and Inspiration for the Christa McAuliffe Branch Library, Framingham, MA

The new Christa McAuliffe Branch Library is located in the town where she went to college and received her teaching degree. It is new construction for a 21st-century facility for the second busiest public branch library in the state, tripling the size of the existing branch at nearly 17,000 SF.

Inspired by the spirit of Christa McAuliffe, the design creates a soaring roof in the shape of a wing that lifts over the main reading areas for adult and children. The library design is flexible and adaptable to new trends in library usage, and has a large open plan that is fully adaptable to future space plan modifications. The new Christa McAuliffe Branch Library is located at the high point of a naturally wooded-site, and the building embraces a state-of-the art sustainable approach and is targeted for LEED Gold certification.

The inspiration for the design came from the life of Christa McAuliffe: one that was forward-looking, and embraced ideas of space exploration, while manifesting the teaching 'spirit' that defined the life of the first lay-person astronaut, which was tragically cut short.

Forward-thinking Design
Libraries are a gateway to knowledge and expand one's ability to engage with the local and global community. As the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe was dedicated to advancing knowledge and was selected by NASA as an "ordinary person" and gifted teacher who could communicate with students while in orbit.

We wanted to make a design that speaks to that spirit in built form. The local community was very supportive in developing a forward-thinking Design approach.

The Flying Chevron
The site is a two acre parcel that borders a Minuteman bike trail park and is adjacent to a shopping center, school, and senior center. When we developed the design of the library, we arrived at an approach that sought to be uplifting and soaring. Developed as a single story library, the design evolved into a "wing" form that started lower in massing and gradually separating the front and back with a lifted rear massing that rises up volumetrically as it approaches the apex of the site. This "flying chevron" became the defining feature element of the library, with the expansive Children area flowing into the adult area underneath this soaring roof. Wrapped in glass, the openness of the form not only completes the wing metaphor, but apex of the chevron speaks to the spirit of looking to space and the heavens above.

In front of the soaring volume is a lower massing component that defines the main entry and contains offices, meeting rooms, and young adult and support spaces. This open and simple plan is designed to be very flexible and reflects how today's libraries are truly community centers open to all. State of the art technology is used throughout, and enhances the library's mission of engagement and service to its patrons in the ultimate quest for knowledge and learning.

Material Expression
The exterior cladding consists of insulated mepanel systems that are highly efficient and sustainable. The use of white vertical panels for the larger massing volume and the silver horizontal panels for the lower massing were intended as a nod toward spacecraft design along with the use of contemporary materials, finishes and furniture throughout.

In the interior, the palette is very light, bright and warm. In place of traditional wood shelving end brackets, bookshelves are made silver metal. The carpet design in the children's library evokes a solar system and culminates in a bright yellow "sun" in the storytelling area.

Sustainability
In addition, we tried to make the building as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible throughout. The large expanse of windows opens to the site facing the Minuteman trail and allow abundant natural light to stream into the main reading areas while drawing patrons to view the beauty of the park-like setting outside and reducing the demand for artificial lighting. LED lighting is used throughout, with a mixture of linear and globe fixtures that suspend at different heights and sizes in the main lobby area representing the stars. The soaring ceiling culminates into The Prow at the exterior, which is an open trellis element with a view to the sky. This will be up-lit with blue LED lighting that can change color, celebrating the spirit of Christa McAuliffe. The target is LEED gold.

From Christa Herself
In essence, the design tries to speak from Christa's own heart, thoughts, words and her personal mission. Large photo montage murals of her life and several of her quotes are embedded throughout the library including:

"I touch the future. I teach"
"Reach for the stars"

In addition, some of her belongings will be brought into the library as personal mementoes that honor her life and legacy. They will be set up in a special dedicated exhibit area. In addition to the objects and photo murals, there will be text highlighting and detailing her ties to Framingham, and Framingham State University.

Reaching for the Stars
In summary, we were inspired by the spirit and life of Christa McAuliffe in the design of this library. Hers was a life spent reaching for the stars-in teaching, in living, and in passing on knowledge. We tried to honor that spirit of optimism and looking to the future in a built form that would reflect her legacy.

Photos: Please email [email protected] for photos of this inspirational building.