Location: 130 S. Park St., Streator, IL
The Streator Library Board was faced with making some life safety exiting and accessibility improvements to their historic Carnegie library building. They commissioned BCA to solve the problem in a way that did not detract from the original building aesthetic. The fire marshal declared that a second exit was required. The state accessibility code stated the new work would have to be accomplished within the code requirements. The existing main floor of the library is five feet above grade and to complicate matters further, a mezzanine for stacks was positioned between the main floor and the second floor making it impossible to gain accessibility to all levels with the use of one elevator. The solution was an addition to the west of the existing historic structure to accommodate a new ground level entrance and elevator. The mezzanine floor was raised to the level of the existing second floor. The addition is connected to the existing building with a transparent window wall to minimize the impact on the original design. The new addition also provides additional stack space, new accessible restroom facilities and a reading lounge.
