Upgrades to Stanford L. Warren Library

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SLWarren_Historic_Painting

Joel T. Jones, MPA

(919) 560-7993, Project Manager

James Faress, P.E.

(919) 560-7963, Project Manager

Location

1201 Fayetteville Street, Durham, NC 27701 Map

Project Description

In August 2021, historic S.L. Warren Library was temporarily closed for extensive repairs resulting from ongoing water intrusion into the facility. Due to excess moisture, the high humidity levels within the library rendered it ineffective in housing books and literature resources for the community. Investigatory studies revealed that the existing underground water proofing had become compromised and largely ineffective at preventing water from entering through the lower-level walls. Given the findings, the underground exterior portion of the library had to be excavated for provision of a new water proofing system to prevent further water intrusion into the building.

While the Library is closed during the water proofing efforts, it is an opportune time to brighten and refresh the building interiors which was not included in the initial envelope repair work. Having received input from the local community through multiple “visioning” sessions, the County is working to conceptualize interior upgrades that are intended to highlight the historical importance and relevance of S.L. Warren Library in Durham’s diverse culture. The interior scope includes new furniture throughout, interior finishes, and upgraded energy efficient lighting. Performing this added interior scope concurrently with the envelope repair project mitigates an extended or second library closing and will provide a newly refreshed facility ready to serve the community.

Design Team

REI Engineers: Envelope Enclosure Engineering
RND Architects, PA: Building Architecture
CJT, PA: Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture
Gardner & McDaniel, PA: Structural Engineering
Edmonson Engineers: Mechanical, Electrical Engineering