Bronx Library Center

Sciame was the Construction Manager responsible for the Bronx Library Center, which was created with one major goal: to serve as the central library of the Bronx’s thirty-four branch libraries. Located in the heart of the borough’s busy Fordham Road commercial district, the Library Center offers residents the most extensive and comprehensive collection, services, and programming in the borough.

The Bronx Library Center is the first New York Public Library branch to be LEED certified- the national standard for sustainable design. The building includes many sustainable features, such as use of daylight, lighting controls, enhanced ventilation, and energy efficient systems that make use of “green” recycled and regional materials. Sciame was able to meet the challenge of obtaining a LEED Silver Rating while keeping the project under budget and ahead of schedule.

The 80 foot high, five-story building features a distinctive swooping roof design, a complex high performance curtain wall that provides natural light while preventing glare, and granite on the exterior that complements the brick texture of the library’s surrounding neighborhood. Interiors feature natural materials such as granite wall surfaces, clear maple millwork, and terrazzo floors. The dramatic sloping ceiling on the fourth floor is clad with perforated acoustic maple panels, as are the walls in the 150-seat auditorium located on the concourse level.