Boston Public Library – Central Branch / BPL Phase 2 Renovations Completed

Cavanaugh Tocci recently completed work on the both phases of the renovations to the Johnson Building in the Boston Public Library’s Central Branch. The first phase of the renovation focused on the second floor and included a Children’s Area with a video presentation system, a Teen Central area with a gaming area and maker space. Teen Central includes a popular gaming area which includes two 80-inch flat panel displays and several different gaming consoles, allowing for parallel or head-to-head gaming.

Phase 2 included renovation to the main, lower and mezzanine levels, including Rabb Auditorium, Kirstein Business Library, main entry, and several classrooms and conference rooms.

Cavanaugh Tocci provided audiovisual and acoustic consulting services for both Phases. We provide theatrical lighting system design for Rabb Auditorium in Phase 2.

William Rawn Associates

WRA Phase 2

Boston Public Library’s Redesign in Progress

WBUR Article

Boston Globe Article on Phase 2

2017 Harleston Parker Medal (BSA) – Most Beautiful Building in Boston, Built in the Last 10 Years

2017 AIA/American Library Association Library Building Award

2017 Grand Prize – Congress for New Urbanism, Charter Award

2017 AIA New England Design Excellence Award

2018 American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts – Gold Award

2018 CISCA Construction Excellence Gold Award

2017 Boston Society of Landscape Architects Merit Award for Design

2017 Preservation Massachusetts Paul & Niki Tsongas Award

2017 Preservation Alliance Achievement Award

2017 Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award

2017 AGC Building New England Award

2017 ENT New England Award

2017 Construction Management Association of American New England Award

2017 Illumination Engineering Society – Section Award

All photographs © Robert Benson Photography