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Award - Public Building of the Year Award

Project - Enoch Pratt Free Library Orleans Street Branch

Project Location - Baltimore, MD

Category - Institutional; Public Building of the Year

Architects - Cho Benn Holback + Associates, Inc.

Associate Architect -

Owner/Developer - Enoch Pratt Free Library / Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Contractor - Whiting Turner Contracting Company

Photographer(s) - Patrick Ross

Jury Comments: - Starting with site planning, the building takes possession of the corner and then follows through on the massing, where the bottom layer is primarily glass and transparent and the corner window at the upper floors, is a very brilliant response to that opportunity. The clouding of the book floors and the multiple colors can be very attractive to children and young people. There’s been a great amount of care in the organization of the building. There’s a clear diagram of plan arrangement and a very neat series of allays that enclose the various spaces. The detailing and study of the various aspects of the building, such as how the fenestration interplays with the solid walls, is very well done. The whole effect is quite attractive. There are a number of small incidents in the interior where the architect has chosen to make a special place, such as in the two-story space, the entry information desk, and the color glass on the outside, is really quite nice. The building makes an incredible statement on the corner and reads as the public piece of the building. You can see into the building - you can see the use. It commands the streetscape. The interior moves are really quite deft and well-handled. The long flat façade is not trying to be anything other than it is; it’s not trying any artificial gestures to get some action going on there. It’s a very tough thing to make a long, straight façade that’s pretty prominent, interesting, and it’s done with grace. Excellent project.