Boston, Massachusetts

Boston Athenæum  
Renovation & Expansion

The Boston Athenæum, one of the oldest independent libraries in the United States, is located in a circa 1849 National Historic Landmark building on Beacon Hill. The availability of an additional multi-floor area in an adjacent building prompted the re-envisioning of existing space as well as the best use of the new space.   

Our renovation of the original building includes a redesigned entrance lobby and reception area, new coat and locker areas, children’s library, café, digital imaging lab, and study center. Spaces in the adjacent building, accessed through new connections between buildings, include a gallery for changing exhibitions of books, prints, paintings, and other artwork from the Athenaeum extensive collections, as well as curatorial and administrative offices. Two new multipurpose events areas are furnished as living rooms with adjacent meeting rooms for both members and rentals, easily convertible for dinners, lectures, musical events, or dancing.   

Client
Boston Athenaeum
Status
Completed 2022
Project Size
Renovation | 25,000 GSF
Program
Library, Exhibition, Events, Café, Offices
Awards
Preservation Massachusetts Paul & Niki Tsongas Award
Preservation Massachusetts People's Choice Award

Our Process

Ann Beha Architects, now Annum Architects
Project Team
Ann Beha, FAIA, Thomas Hotaling AIA, Robert Carroll AIA, Lance Smith AIA, Marta Salvat, Richard Panciera AIA (ABA/Annum); Thorton Tomasetti (Structural); Allied Engineering Services (MEP/FP), Richard Burck (Landscape); Solutions Engineering (Code); Available Light (Lighting); Acentech (Acoustical); One Diversified (AV); Workplace Project Management (FF&E); Anna Farrington (Graphic Design); Kiln Brook LLC (OPM); Consigli Construction (Construction Management); Anton Grassl (Photography)