The Mattapan Branch of the Boston Public Library was designed to create a welcoming civic presence and inviting interior spaces. The main reading room and children's room flank an outdoor courtyard and provide quiet and active learning environments. Reflecting the teenage population in Mattapan, the largest "Young Adult" space of any BPL branch encourages technology use and activity after school.

1. MATTAPAN BRANCH
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
e
William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc. Boston, MA

2. With significant amounts of glass looking onto Blue Hill Avenue, this stone and brick building creates a strong civic
presence that is decidedly open and inviting to the community. The building’s interior reflects this same sense of
invitation in each of its major spaces. The main Reading Room, with its high ceiling and warm wood shelving and
“sun grillage”, creates a welcoming space for adults to work quietly. The Children’s Room and “Young Adults” Room
each provide colorful and active spaces flanking an outdoor courtyard. A Community Room, wrapped in warm wood,
allows the library to serve the community beyond library hours.
Reflecting the importance of the teenage population to the Mattapan community, this library provides the largest
“Young Adult” space of all 27 BPL branches. This “Young Adults” Room has been designed as an oasis, a lively (and
acoustically) enclosed space with robust technology encouraging heavy use after school and during the weekends.
140-Seat Community Meeting Room Young Adult Area

3. Main Reading Room Children’s Area

4. Young Adult Area
PROJECT FACTS Community Library Spaces
Children’s Area
PROJECT NAME
Young Adult Area
Mattapan Branch
Boston Public Library Administrative / Support Spaces
Building Circulation
PROJECT LOCATION
Mattapan, Boston, MA
SIZE
21,000 gsf
USES
Library
Community Gathering Room
SITE PLAN
OWNER
City of Boston, Property & Construction Management PLAN
SITE
Office of Budget Management
Boston Public Library
COMPLETION DATE
February 2009
CIVIC INTERACTION PUNCTURING STREET WALL
CONTACTS
William Rawn, FAIA, LEED AP
wrawn@rawnarch.com
Clifford Gayley, AIA, LEED AP William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc.
cgayley@rawnarch.com 10 Post Office Square, Suite 1010, Boston, MA 02109
Mark Oldham, AIA, LEED AP t) 617.423.3470 f) 617.451.9205 www.rawnarch.com
moldham@rawnarch.com