Architectural Conditions and Recommendations

The existing Carnegie Library is a relatively small building, containing approximately 4,600 square feet. Proposed changes to the building must be sensitive to its unique features, and enduring spatial qualities and traditional materials; provide greater flexibility and efficiency; and be responsive to the needs of the community and the City of Snohomish.

 

The building requires structural and seismic upgrading, and new electrical and mechanical / plumbing systems, which are described in detail in the engineers' reports in this document. Hazardous materials, which are also described in the survey and lab analysis, must be abated through appropriate and regulated methods, such as removal or encapsulation.

 

The proposed recommendations are based on a rehabilitation approach as described in The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings.

Rehabilitation, according to these standards is defined as the act or process of making possible a compatible new use for a property through repair, alterations and additions, while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural or architectural features.

 

We recommend this approach to guide the project's design, as it is flexible in accepting required programmatic changes, while retaining important features of a historic building. The rehabilitation approach contrasts with restoration, which is the act of retaining and/or reconstructing original features that may be missing or repairing existing historic features based on original design documents or photographs. Restoration is a more rigorous or pure approach, and is usually taken with landmarks of considerable importance. With a restoration, changes are not typically made to improve the building's functionality, and thus it is somewhat restrictive.

 

The key to rehabilitation is sensitivity to existing features. There are accepted guidelines for new additions, repairs, and changes to exteriors and interiors that have been adopted by most design review boards for historic districts. A copy of the Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings is provided in an appendix to this report.

 

Architectural recommendations address deficiencies. They include the following, which are categorized into three priorities:

 

1. Accessibility, Life Safety and Code Upgrading

  • A. Provide access to the building to meet the goals of universal access, with new curb cuts at the corners of the site sidewalk, entry ramps and elevator to meet the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Provide additional exit from the Upper Floor and Basement based on code and occupancy requirements. Access routes should be designed to anticipate use patterns different from that of the original library, as people may arrive in groups, rather than individually as did the former library patrons.
  • B. Upgrade the exterior envelope with the addition of furring and insulation to the inside face of exterior walls, while maintaining the original details and windows; provide added insulation and vapor barrier at the attic (above the ceiling or below the roof); inspect and caulk at openings.
  • C. Construct new corridors and restrooms at the Basement in response to program needs and ADA requirements.
  • D. Provide appropriate exit hardware at required exit doors.
  • E. Provide architectural modifications and finishes at areas of structural and seismic upgrading, and as necessary for abatement of asbestos and lead.
  • F. Coordinate structural upgrading recommended by the structural engineer, including seismic wall ties.
  • G. Provide strobe-type alarms, Braille signage, and other features to meet universal access codes.

2. Stabilization and Restoration

  • A. Selectively remove portions of the 1968 Addition from the south and west facades of the building, and the dumbwaiter and interior stair at the southeast corner
  • B. Restore the original Carnegie Library building's exterior walls, window openings, and windows. Restore exterior stucco finish and reconstruct surface decoration where damaged or missing. Clean the entire exterior, patch, prep and repaint stucco and wood surfaces.
  • C. Reconstruct the original front staircase and central stairs leading to the Upper Floor entry, with a planter at the front to recall the original fountain at grade level. Revise the stair design to meet current codes for width, rise and run, railing height, etc., and provide a stair and ramp to access the Basement.
  • D. Remove non-original office partitions at the northwest corner and non-original wood paneling and cabinetry at the center and southwest corner of the Upper Floor. Restore the finishes in impacted areas.
  • E. Remove, salvage, and securely replace the Mission style clay roof tiles; and provide a new structural plywood diaphragm below the tiles; replace gutters with aluminum gutter to replicate the form of the original wood gutters; replace downspouts with reconstructed original decorative scuppers.
  • F. Repair and restore existing historic windows, and replace in-kind those that are missing. Remove storm windows over operable windows. Provide new insulated glazing at non-operating windows in the Upper Floor Mezzanine. Repair and/or replace roof skylight, and restore interior skylight above the Mezzanine to provide additional interior light.
  • G. Replace exterior wood doors with new painted wood panel doors with upper glazed panels, designed to recall historic types. Provide doors with new hardware selected to meet ADA codes.
  • H. Retain and restore interior stained wood window frames and trim, doors, door frames and surrounds, base molding, mezzanine balustrade, base and woodwork. (Carefully remove and salvage select trim during rehabilitation, and refinish and reinstall; replace base shoe trim.) Provide new door hardware selected to meet ADA codes.
  • I. Remove non-original intrusive finishes, such as wood paneling at Basement Meeting Room, and fiberboard sheathing at Upper Floor ceilings, and provide new smooth finish walls and ceiling finishes. Provide furring and insulation at all perimeter walls to enhance energy conservation, finished with new, smooth painted gypsum wallboard. Prep and repaint all interior surfaces, except for stained wood trim, windows, doors and casework.
  • J. Remove existing chimneys and retain vertical cavities for new mechanical and electrical chases.
  • K. Remove non-original wood framed stucco clad stair enclosure at the northeast corner. Provide an adequate drain at bottom of new ramp and stair landing.
  • L. Provide temporary shoring and reconstruct roof framing as necessary at the 1968 Addition. Construct a new north facade using salvaged brick.

3. New Program Elements / Rehabilitation

  • A. Remove concrete plaza elements on the site and restore landscaping surrounding the building with new walks from the sidewalk and adjacent parking lot. Remove the historic log display to nearby Pioneer Village. Relocate the memorial to the new south courtyard.
  • B. Upgrade utilities -- water, sewer, power -- as necessary for the physical and legal separation of the Carnegie Library and the 1968 Addition, and to meet new rehabilitation needs.
  • C. Integrate new required mechanical ventilation and heating systems, ductwork, electrical and tel/data distribution, fire sprinklers and alarm systems into the building by concealing new elements in walls and ceilings. Remove unnecessary mechanical, ventilation, and heating equipment, non-functioning plumbing fixtures and ducts, wiring and other non-functioning electrical elements.
  • D. Rehabilitate the building by constructing interior spaces for new uses, which are sympathetic with the historic spatial qualities of the building. Construct new partition walls, ceilings, built-in cabinetry and casework, mechanical and duct chases as required. Provide new interior finishes, including flooring, as required by use. Address the impacts of new occupancy groups, such as potential crowding at entries, by providing wider corridors and opening into adjacent rooms.
  • E. Consider reconfiguring the remaining 1968 building as required by the City and new tenant or owner, with new access to service spaces, additional exits, and restrooms to meet ADA codes.
  • F. Create a new public courtyard south of the building, between it and the remaining 1968 building, to serve as an inviting outdoor room, with seating, enclosure walls and access from the sidewalk and adjacent buildings. Relocate the historic war memorial to a location within the new courtyard. Provide new paving surfaces and landscaping consistent with the original design of the Carnegie Library.
  • G. Provide a new, simple Kitchen in the Basement, with high-quality, user-friendly domestic appliances. Provide one open, cabinet-free wall with outlets to allow for operation of caterers' wheeled hot and cold food carts.
  • H. Upgrade the parking lot and north-south driveway on the west side of the property. Pave and stripe the lot as necessary, and provide a designated accessible parking space and service vehicle zone. Provide bollards to protect building corners from vehicles along the driveway and establish one-way use. Identify new dumpster location to serve the building, and provide paved pad.
  • I. Select sustainable materials for finishes, equipment and materials, to enhance the building's life cycle and operational costs and to meet community goals.
  • J. Provide development limits on the site and remaining 1968 building to minimize scale contrasts and shadows, and assure adequate sunlight into the new courtyard between the two buildings.
  • K. Reconfigure the existing parking lot to maximize on-site parking, and service access.