The jury awards a Design Citation of Merit for the restoration of the NYPL Macomb’s Bridge Library at Harlem River Houses. The Harlem River Houses were completed in 1936-37 as one of the first two federally subsidized public housing complexes in New York City in response to protests over racism and discrimination experienced by Harlem’s Black residents. The lead architect of the project was Archibald Manning Brown. John Louis Wilson, Jr., the first Black graduate of Columbia University’s School of Architecture, was also part of the team. Over the years, the building’s street-level commercial storefront tenants have dwindled. In keeping with the original intent of the Harlem River Houses to “promote a sense of community, as well as to provide facilities that would specifically meet the needs of the Harlem Residents,” (from the New York City Landmarks nomination) a new branch of The New York Public Library was envisioned for the space. The seven storefronts were gut-renovated, walls were opened, and ceilings were raised to create a 3,500 sq. ft. library space with a Children’s Room, Adult Reading Room, Community Room, and various support spaces. The exterior was cleaned and restored, and storefront windows were replaced with bronze mullions and details to make them compatible with the original design while adding new insulated glass for energy efficiency. A new entrance and canopy were created at the south to give the branch greater visibility in the community.

The New York Public Library

Michael Wyetzner, Frank Michielli, Debbie Balters, Tyler Duncan, Amy Atzmon (Michielli + Wyetzner Architects); Goldman Copeland Consulting Engineers (MEP Engineer); Engineering Group Associates (Structural Engineer); AKF Engineers (IT/AV/Sec); Anita Jorgensen Lighting Design (Lighting Design); Gannon Vitolo Contracting (General Contractor)