PORTFOLIO
▲
C
ecil Baker + Partners, Philadelphia, designed the activities center at the Chestnut Hill branch of the
Free Library of Philadelphia, originally
constructed in 1906 in a Classical
Revival style by architects Cope and
Stewardson. Cecil Baker + Partners
distilled the core ideas of the original
architects into a timely, modern addition to the rear of the existing library.
The addition was designed as the
third element in a progression. The
first "box" (the adult library) is richly
detailed and the second "box" (the
children's library) is more sparse. The
third "box" (the addition) is even less
articulated and more austere. The activities center includes a partitioned
meeting room, kitchen, storage, and
public restrooms. Pictured is the entrance to the meeting room from the
original library. Photo: Tom Bernard
Photography
50
COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE
OCTOBER
OCTOBER2016
2016
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture October 2016