Building the Addition on the Stewart Library Building
In December of 2015 construction started on the addition to the Stewart Library Building. The addition was designed by Mike Pullen of Ames Associates, architects in Bangor, and approved by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission (MHPC). That approval was important because it allowed the building to remain on the National Register of Historic Places. This helps to maintain eligibility for grants.
After things change it doesn’t take long to forget the process, how the changes happened. This all happened about 3 years ago but already the memory seems to fade.
Building the Smith Atrium – Steel and the stairway in place – 2016
The steel structure and the stairway were installed together. The stairs support the walls and strengthen the framework. Nice how they used pleasing colors to cover the steel. I’m not sure what the different colors mean. The green bucket at the top was a nice accent for the holiday season.
As Spring approached the brickwork was added. To gain approval from the MHPC an addition to an historic structure must not be design to exactly match the original. It must look different so it will be obvious that it was added later.
In addition to providing a stairway to the basement and second floor that met building and accessibility codes, a goal of the atrium design was to give maximum visibility of the original building exterior from the outside. Here is a rendering of the first design that was approved by the MHPC.
It certainly provided maximum visibility but the members of the Stewart Library Building Preservation Group were not excited by this design. It seemed too much like a greenhouse. My own feeling was that it would be attractive on an urban street but it did not fit well in a rural setting.
We asked the architect to revise the design with the addition of some brickwork. This is a rendering of the revision.
Members of the preservation group liked the new design. A revision of the plan required a new approval from the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. The architect and I visited the commission office in Augusta to meet with officials. They asked me to describe our reason for requesting the change. After a short discussion they approved the new plan on the spot.
The staff and officials of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission were very helpful throughout the preservation project. They consulted and actually awarded us a total of $35,000 in grant funds to both develop an engineering and renovation plan for the clock tower and to repair and renovate the windows throughout the building.
Ken
Here is the new entrance to the building showing the stairways to the basement and the second floor. The entrance addition is named the Smith Atrium in honor of generous donations to the fundraising campaign by the Smith Family, Carl and Linda, Eric and Laura.
The interior of the atrium has simple, classic lines. You have a close view of the former exterior wall. There is an open view of the neighborhood in three directions. When you visit the building during the day, take the time climb the stairs to the third landing. The view of the village area of town is worth the climb.
The atrium is lit at night by efficient LED fixtures to serve as a lantern in the community.
It is remarkable how well the addition complements the original building. The gray metal trim picks up the granite framing the windows. The layout of the glass carries the two-story pattern of the windows and the lines of the building around the corner. The bricks, while slightly different, was chosen to blend with the old. We are very pleased with the structure. The architect did a great job on the design. It is a wonderful addition to the area. I think Levi Stewart would approve.
What thoughts do you have about the atrium? You are welcomed to comment below. You do not need to enter your email address to leave a comment or reply, only your name.