Far Rockaway Library Named the ‘Best New Building’
On September 23, Commissioner Thomas Foley of the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott announced that the new Far Rockaway Library has been named the City’s “Best New Building” by the Municipal Art Society of New York in its 2024 MASterworks Awards. DDC managed the design and construction of the $39 million library for Queens Public Library.
“We are honored to be recognized by the Municipal Art Society for bringing world-class architecture to Queens,” said DDC Commissioner Tom Foley. “The new Far Rockaway Library carries on the tradition of more than 120 years of public library access at this site with a modern, accessible structure that’s twice the size of the former library and full of amenities for the community as well as public art. Thank you to MAS as well the Queens Public Library and the great DDC project team.”
“As soon as it opened its doors to the public, the new Far Rockaway Library instantly became an anchor for the neighborhood and an architectural sensation attracting people from near and far,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “We are thrilled that it was recognized by the Municipal Art Society of New York for its spectacular design. Congratulations to Snøhetta for their brilliant concept and the Department of Design and Construction for delivering this iconic and inspiring building to the community.”
The Far Rockaway Library opened to the public on July 30, 2024, at a ribbon cutting ceremony with local elected officials and residents. Since then, more than 21,000 people have visited the branch, and nearly 23,000 items have been checked out, making the branch one of the busiest locations in the QPL system.
Located at the busy intersection of Central and Mott Avenues, it was designed by the renowned architectural firm Snøhetta under DDC’s Design and Construction Excellence Program, pre-qualifies firms to provide design services for public buildings projects, reducing the time required to procure design services while ensuring the highest levels of quality and professionalism in construction projects managed by the agency. The Program currently has 20 design firms, ten of which are certified Minority-and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs).
The new library is twice the size of the prior building and features a unique glass façade and central atrium space designed to let natural light penetrate deep into the building while giving customers views of the sky from within the building. A tall transparent glass pyramidal opening at the corner serves as the library’s main entry. The building’s interior spaces are arranged around the atrium, which serves as a meeting place, a point of orientation, and the focus of the branch’s activities. The façade is comprised of colored glass, with its colors gradually fading into one another, balancing transparency and translucency. The interior railing is made of dichroic glass, creating a kaleidoscopic effect in the atrium.
The project was funded through capital investments from Queens Borough President Richards, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, NYC Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, NYS Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, the NYC Economic Development Corporation, the NYS Education Department, and the NYC Council Queens Delegation.