Folger Shakespeare Library

The renewal and expansion of the Folger Shakespeare Library is the result of more than 10 years of planning to make the institution a more welcoming, inclusive, and immersive place. Built in 1932 and designed by Paul Phillipe Cret, the original building was principally a research library and repository for works by and about William Shakespeare. The project provided much needed exhibition and visitor amenity spaces, upgraded systems for conservation-appropriate conditions, and completely reimagined the visitor arrival experience to be universally accessible. The Folger’s location on East Capitol Street is adjacent to the Library of Congress and diagonally opposite the Supreme Court. It straddles the edge of the federal district and it abuts Capitol Hill residential neighborhoods. The reimagined landscaping and entry paths draw in tourists and passersby at this prominent location. In addition to creating a single new entry experience for all visitors that goes beyond code minimum accessibility requirements, all previously non-accessible areas of the building and grounds were made universally accessible. A significant portion of the grounds are in public space and were designed as an extension of Washington, D.C.’s public realm to be a respite and amenity for recreation and contemplation. Fenestration and lighting in the lobbies were designed to gradually transition visitors from garden entrances to light-controlled galleries. A 650 m² addition with new visitor entrances was inserted beneath the existing terrace to not alter the facade or massing of the historic register-listed building. The below-grade addition and extensive renovation required significant structural modifications. The breadth and difficulty of expanding the new program beneath a building on the National Register of Historic Places cannot be understated. The design process included meetings with neighborhood groups and public hearings with multiple review agencies. Feedback was incorporated from reviewers and the public with an emphasis on making the publicly accessible gardens welcoming, and sensitive modifications to the historic building. Approval by adjoining neighborhoods, the District of Columbia, and federal authorities was required. By incorporating an historic site, over 90% of the existing structure was reused and 93% of demolition and construction waste by weight was diverted from landfill. A simple palette of new interior materials was carefully selected to complement the timeless qualities of the original finishes, ensuring durability and limited maintenance. In the primary public areas, self-finishing materials, such as wood, granite, steel, and concrete, were specified and detailed to withstand the wear and tear of daily visitors while providing a sense of warmth and texture. The new work is simultaneously deferential and transformational. The continued use and reuse of our existing building stock is an important act of resource conservation and embodied carbon reduction. This renovation allows the Folger to continue its stewardship of this historic building while accommodating its evolving mission.