Maplewood
Memorial Library
Sage and Coombe worked with the Town of Maplewood, NJ, to expand and renovate their existing library facility.
Originally built in 1956 and expanded in 1969, the library had been susceptible to flooding and no longer met the needs of the community. The project moved forward following a community-driven design process and successful public fundraising.
After a three-tiered selection process that included more than two dozen firms, the Maplewood Memorial Library engaged Sage and Coombe to double the size of their existing masonry library and bring it up to 21st-century library standards, including full accessibility and LEED GOLD certification, all within the historic footprint of the existing library.
The building is all-electric and features a rooftop solar array that supplies 55% of the Library’s energy needs. Sited adjacent to Olmsted’s Maplewood Memorial Park, the design required submission to SHPO for final approval. Now newly opened, the project includes site improvements using native species in the areas surrounding the Library.
While respecting the first-floor masonry walls, the design team added a second floor using a combination of bird-friendly glass, wood battens, green roofs, and photovoltaics. The interior features a soft natural palette of edge-grain wood floors, wood trusses, and subtle gray carpet patterns, highlighted by brightly colored accent carpet and furniture selections. This project has achieved LEED Gold certification – the first of its kind in New Jersey – and exceeds current flood design standards.
