Join Newark & Suburban Architects on April 16, 6 PM to 9 PM, at the Kean University STEM Building for an evening of conversation, dinner, drinks, and a presentation by Carol Loewenson, FAIA, Partner at Mitchell Giurgola, entitled Historic Libraries Anchor Communities.

Open bar and dinner!

1 LU|HSW

The NYPL serves an ever increasingly diverse population of children, teens, and adults. Since its inception 100+ years ago, the goal remains literacy in its many forms. The New York Public Library system has over 38 Carnegie branch libraries that are over 100 years old. They are in a state of disrepair, lack infrastructure, and are programmatically out of date. Still, each of them is a critical part of their neighborhood. NYPL has chosen to commit to saving these historic buildings and has established standards for transformation and reuse. Two branches located in the Bronx will be presented as case studies to demonstrate the commitment and process required to achieve successful outcomes. The enduring role of libraries in today’s world will be the foundation of the conversation. Topics covered will include 1) the history of NYPL Carnegie branches, 2) how to integrate new technology and infrastructure into older buildings, 3) the challenge of accommodating contemporary programs in older structures, 4) the sustainability benefit of reuse, and 5) how to plan for future flexibility.

About the Speaker

Carol Loewenson’s expertise ranges from highly technical buildings, renovations, and façade replacements to work involving private and public sectors. Her approach to architecture is deeply rooted in a commitment to public spaces and an acknowledgment of how the shape of a building, city, or institution impacts people’s lives. She carefully considers the context in her work, balancing preservation and modernization to generate sustainable transformations that capture the complexity of a space’s history and future goals.

Her work at Mitchell Giurgola includes projects for the New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library, Barnard College, Rockefeller University, New York University, Cornell University, LaGuardia Community College, and the New York State Unified Court System.

She serves as a Board member of the AIA Center for Architecture, the IDC Foundation, and is the Vice Chair for New Yorkers for Parks. Carol was elected to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows in 2013 and President of AIA New York in 2016. She was awarded the AIA New York State President’s Award in 2019. In 2023, she was awarded the Columbia University Alumni Medal.