Free Library of Philadelphia Branch Renovations

In 1997, the Free Library of Philadelphia issued a Request for Qualifications to approximately 100 firms for three of what would be the last 18 of 52 branch renovations. VITETTA was selected to design three FY 1998 branch renovations under a reorganized renovations program. Ultimately, VITETTA was hired to design the balance of the remaining 18 branches, as well as to redesign one of the previously renovated branches to bring the total to 19. VITETTA then performed studies of various sites for a new branch which was created in 2001. Each branch design focused on children and families – with the new target audience being children from birth to age eighteen. The designs brought together elements of this new service target and its special grant funding with an array of infrastructure improvements funded by the City of Philadelphia. Each branch design created space for children and families in buildings ranging from Carnegie branches (4) to modern buildings completed in the 1990’s. “WOW” design was the goal and result of each branch, and equity in character and quality, but uniqueness in palette and theme were drivers in the successful design of each of these library renovations – each completed on time and on budget.