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Item 6B - 5BL.6065 - BPL - North Wing - 1403 formResource number: 5BL.6065 1 Temporary resource number: N/A OAHP1403 Rev. 9/98 COLORADO CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY Architectural Inventory Form I. IDENTIFICATION Official eligibility determination (OAHP use only) Date Initials Determined Eligible- NR Determined Not Eligible- NR Determined Eligible- SR Determined Not Eligible- SR Need Data Contributes to eligible NR District Noncontributing to eligible NR District 1. Resource number: 5BL.6065 2. Temporary resource number: N/A 3. County: Boulder 4. City: Boulder 5. Historic building name: Boulder Public Library 6. Current building name: Boulder Public Library, North Wing 7. Building address: 1001 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 8. Owner name and address: City of Boulder, PO Box 791, Boulder, CO 80306-0791 II. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION 9. P.M. 6th Township 1N Range 71W SE ¼ of SE ¼ of SE ¼ of Section 25 10. UTM reference: Zone 13: 475934 mE 4429449mN 11. USGS quad name: Boulder Year: 2013 Map scale: 7.5' 15' Attach photo copy of appropriate map section. 12. Blks 11 & 12 & track adjacent to Blk 11 on the west - Boulder o t & pt lot 9 Smiths addition to Boulder & vac Riverside St & 10th St & 11th St 13. Boundary Description and Justification: The boundary of the building for the purposes of documentation includes the building and adjacent built features, excluding the 1992 addition (south wing) to the Boulder Public Library. III. Architectural Description 14. Building plan (footprint, shape): Cross-shaped plan 15. Dimensions in feet: Length 170 ft x Width 160 ft 16. Number of stories: 2 17. Primary external wall material(s): Stone Resource number: 5BL.6065 2 Temporary resource number: N/A 18. Roof configuration: Flat 19. Primary external roof material: Unknown 20. Special features: N/A 21. General architectural description: The original 1961 Boulder Public Library, aka the North Wing, anchors the northeast end of the City of Boulder’s Municipal Campus. Although it is connected to the southerly additions of the library by a bridge addition that extends across Boulder Creek, for purposes of this description it is considered separately, with the bridge and addition built in the 1974 renovation described as a piece, and the 1992 addition shown only in the attached photographs. Its orientation is approximately 15 degrees west of a NS axis, and for purposes of description the northwest elevation is north and etc. The North Wing is a blocky, low-slung Modern style building that contains some elements of the International Style but cannot be said to fit neatly into that category, partly now due to modifications (primarily the alteration and relocation of the main entrance). It sits between Canyon Drive on the north and Boulder Creek on the south and faces east toward the Municipal Building. Its geometry is essentially that of a carefully composed collection of squares and rectangles: Massing is organized in a cruciform plan, with a square center bay surrounded on four sides by similarly sized bays. The central and west bays carry a second story, while the entrance and north and south bays are a single story. The entry bay extends to the east and garden courtyards lie on the east sides of the ells. Exterior wall material is generally red sandstone, with full-height glazing on the east elevation. The front of the building is lined with a row of tree-like squared concrete columns, with the entry columns rising a little higher than the others and set forward. These columns are topped with wide, tapered concrete spans that join at the top to form a long surround that extends along the east façade, turning to define the sides of the courtyards as well. The courtyards are screened with gridded aggregate concrete panel set between the columns. The exterior walls of the west bay and second story are faced in solid exposed aggregate concrete panels, with a full-height section of grid panels set into the west elevation at the rear parking lot. The main entrance of the North Wing is a fully glazed vestibule entry with automated sliding doors. Secondary entrances are set into the interior corners of the courtyards, and are curved, glazed walls with glazed doors, sheltered by projecting awnings. The roof of the building is flat, with a simple white concrete cornice topping the walls. A 1974 bridge addition extends from the south bay over Boulder Creek to a raised rectangular addition that echoes the boxy form of the North Wing. The bridge is supported by square concrete piers and is concrete and sided with aggregate grid panels that are similar to those found on the exterior of the North Wing. The addition is also constructed of concrete, and is partially founded at ground level and, at the creek side, raised on concrete piers, which have been faced in decorative tiles. Exterior walls of the addition are glazed, concrete panel, and sandstone, with differences in material indicating differences in interior spaces. The south side of this addition connects to the 1992 addition, which is a Resource number: 5BL.6065 3 Temporary resource number: N/A large, multi-story building that now houses most of the library’s events and functions. It was not recorded for this documentation (see aerial and Photo #18). 22. Architectural style/building type: Modern Movements 23. Landscaping or special setting features: The Municipal Campus is a full city block that contains several city-owned buildings set in a park-like setting bisected by Boulder Creek and the Boulder Creek Path. Adjacent features to the North Wing include a rear parking lot and loading dock area. At the front of the building, a broad paved area lies at the front façade of the building, and a public parking lot and lawn area reach to the northeast toward the Municipal Building. Sidewalks and walkways, including and especially the Boulder Creek Path, lace the area around the building. Boulder Creek runs to the south of the North Wing and under the 1974 bridge addition, providing natural beauty that provides a clear counterpoint and compliment to the strong, simple geometry of the North Wing and the 1974 Addition. Surrounding the North Wing more closely are many mature trees of a wide variety, shrubs and lawn. The courtyards contain gardens: The south courtyard contains a Japanese-influenced garden, with junipers, benches, and rock-lined walkways. The north courtyard contains a vegetable garden, with trough beds and a spiral-masonry herb bed. 24. Associated buildings, features, or objects: A concrete ADA ramp with sandstone sidewalls and iron handrails is located on the north side of the building at the sidewalk. It accesses the side door of the north courtyard. Although the Municipal Campus contains many other civic buildings, the one that sits in close conversation with the North Wing is the Municipal Building, which is a similar, Modern-style building likewise faced in Lyons formation sandstone and also designed by the same architect. IV. ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY 25. Date of Construction: 1961 Estimate: Actual: Source of information: “James M. Hunter, Colorado Architects Biographical Sketch” Produced by the OAHP and History Colorado 26. Architect: James M. Hunter Source of information: James Hunter, Colorado Architects Biographical Collection, OAHP 27. Builder/Contractor: Mike Campbell Construction Source of information: https://libraryarchitecture.wikispaces.com/Boulder+Public+Library+- +1961+Construction 28. Original owner: City of Boulder Source of information: Boulder County Assessor Records 29. Construction history (include description and dates of major additions, alterations, or demolitions): The North Wing was constructed in 1961. In 1974, an addition and renovation included the construction of a bridge addition over Boulder Creek and a large, concrete addition. Research did not reveal major alterations on the North Wing, although the Children’s Courtyard, which once sat in the southwest Resource number: 5BL.6065 4 Temporary resource number: N/A corner of the building’s exterior, was removed. In 1992, the construction of the new south wing of the library also included major alterations to the North Wing, including the relocation of the entrance to the center of the east elevation from the interior of the north courtyard, reconfiguration of the courtyard entrances, and screening of the north courtyard’s east side. Additionally, the interior remodel was extensive and complete. Today, little visual evidence remains of the original interior, although one staircase is still in place. 30. Original location Moved Date of move(s): V. HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS 31. Original use(s): Education: Library 32. Intermediate use(s): Education: Library 33. Current use(s): Education: Library 34. Site type(s): Public Library in park setting 35. Historical background: In the post-World War II period, Boulder saw a significant rise in population, largely due to the growth of the energy and defense industry in the region and improvements in infrastructure, like the Denver-Boulder Turnpike, which allowed for Denver workers to commute to work from Boulder. The population expanded from around 13,000 in the 1940 census to more than 37,000 in the 1960 census (Wikipedia), and all bets were on the growth to continue (which it did). With its ability to hold only about 40,000 volumes, 1906 Carnegie Library was quickly becoming inadequate. In 1959, Boulder voters approved a 450,000 bond for a new library. Architect James M. Hunter, a well-known local architect whose work included Regis College in Denver, Baseline Junior High School in Boulder, and the 1951 Municipal Building, was chosen to design the new building. Educated at the University of Illinois, whose architecture school emphasized European modernism, Hunter’s talent for using local materials in the service of modern design was to come into play in the design for the new library. Choosing the site was contentious: much discussion went into putting it in Central Park, but the public wanted open space in the city, so instead it was decided that the Library would be sited to face the Municipal Building (Gralapp 2007). Hunter’s vision was for more than a library; in addition, for space allowing the book collections to double in size, his plan included gallery and event space. In 1961, the 28,300 sf library was completed at a cost of $486,437.19. The contractor was Mike Campbell Construction, of Denver. The library included a children's department, adult reading room, cataloging room, reference room, central services area, and auditorium, garage, stack area, three meeting rooms, a music room, and storage. Offices were located on the mezzanine. In addition to Library Director Claude Settlemire and Associate Director and Children’s Librarian Marcelee Gralapp, the staff included two librarians and 13 library technicians (Celsus 2016B). Settlemire left the library in 1966 and Gralapp took his place (she would hold the job until 2003, overseeing two more significant expansions). By 1970, Boulder’s population had again almost doubled, to 66,000. The library needed to expand, and under Gralaap’s leadership it was determined that the best course was to build a new Children’s department and a non-print media center. The problem was keeping the Resource number: 5BL.6065 5 Temporary resource number: N/A addition above water in a 100-year floodplain. In 1971, voters approved an addition to the library and the architecture firm of Gaston and Associates, along with the structural engineering firm of Johnson-Voiland- Archuleta and Associates designed the addition to span the creek, as a bridge, connecting to a concrete building on the south side of the creek. The addition added 15,000 needed square feet to the library, which could now offer space for users to sit comfortably and listen to recordings or view visual media (Celsus 2016A). More importantly, the addition would prove worthy almost 40 years later, when the Boulder Public Library was noted to have sustained no significant damage in the 100-year flood of 2013 (Library Journal, 2013). In 1992, the large South Wing was added, and many, if not most, library services were relocated to that building. 36. Sources of information: x “James M. Hunter, Colorado Architects Biographical Sketch” Produced by the OAHP and History Colorado x Celsus, A Library Architecture Resource o 2016A. The Boulder Public Library 1974 Renovation. 2016. https://libraryarchitecture.wikispaces.com/Boulder+Public+Library+1974+Renovation+and+Ne w+Addition. Accessed July 28, 2016. o 2016B. The Boulder Public Library – 1961 Construction. 2016. https://libraryarchitecture.wikispaces.com/Boulder+Public+Library+-+1961+Construction. Accessed July 28, 2016. x “Boulder, Colorado”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulder,_Colorado#History. Accessed July 31, 2016. x Marcelee Gralaap, oral history. Boulder Public Library, Maria Rogers Oral History Program. Interview OH 1007-V. x Noel, Thomas J. and Dan W. Corson. 1999. Boulder County: An Illustrated History. Heritage Media Corp. x “After Floods, Colorado Libraries Assess the Damage, Step in With Services” by Ian Chant. Library Journal. Octover 8, 2013. http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2013/10/public-services/after-floods-colorado- libraries-assess-the-damage-step-in-with-services/. Accessed July 31, 2016. VI. SIGNIFICANCE 37. Local landmark designation: Yes No Date of designation: Designating authority: 38. Applicable National Register Criteria: A. Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad pattern of our history; B. Associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; Resource number: 5BL.6065 6 Temporary resource number: N/A C. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or D. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory. Qualifies under Criteria Considerations A through G (see Manual) Does not meet any of the above National Register criteria 39. Area(s) of significance: Community Planning and Development; Architecture 40. Period of significance: 1961 to 1974 (Community Planning and Development) 1961 (Architecture); 41. Level of significance: National State Local 42. Statement of significance: The North Wing of the Boulder Public Library is significant under Criterion A, at the local level, in the area of Community Planning and Development for the important effort undertaken by the City of Boulder to accommodate the city’s cultural and educational needs in the face of exploding population growth in the post-World War II period. Additionally, both the North Wing the 1974 renovation and bridge building should be included as eligible under Criterion C. The North Wing is significant at the local level in the area of Architecture as an important example of Modern architecture that conveys high artistic value and as the work of a master for its association with architect James M. Hunter. The 1974 addition is significant at the local level in the areas of architecture and engineering, for its innovative architecture that embodies distinctive design and construction methods and also possesses high artistic value. In the case of the 1974 addition, Criteria Consideration G should apply, as the addition is not yet 50 years old, but should be considered to be endangered in the event of another flood. 43. Assessment of historic physical integrity related to significance: Although the North Wing has suffered impacts to its integrity of design, most severely through the relocation of the primary entrance and the redesign of the courtyard entrances, it still has a preponderance of its original design, materials, workmanship, and feeling. The columns, courtyard screens, cornice, and red sandstone masonry are all still intact, the location, setting, and association have not changed, and the building’s basic form easily conveys its history as post-World War II modern architecture. Additionally, the integrity of the 1974 addition still allows it to convey its historic significance as a work of modern architecture and an arresting and innovative work of structural engineering. VII. NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT 44. National Register eligibility field assessment: Eligible Not Eligible Need Data 45. Is there National Register district potential? Yes No Discuss: With the Municipal Building, the North Wing and the 1974 Addition carry sufficient integrity and significance to be considered a potential historic district. Resource number: 5BL.6065 7 Temporary resource number: N/A If there is National Register district potential, is this building: Contributing Noncontributing 46. If the building is in existing National Register district, is it: Contributing Noncontributing VIII. RECORDING INFORMATION 47. Photograph numbers: 1 through 18 (shown); 924 through 985 (on file) Negatives filed at: Corbett AHS, Inc., Denver, CO 48. Report title: N/A 49. Date(s): May 11, 2016; July 31, 2016 50. Recorder(s): Kathleen Corbett 51. Organization: Corbett AHS, Inc. 52. Address: 4659 E. Amherst Avenue 53. Phone number(s): (925) 351-7417 NOTE: Please include a sketch map, a photocopy of the USGS quad map indicating resource location, and photographs. History Colorado - Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203 (303) 866-3395 Resource number: 5BL.6065 8 Temporary resource number: N/A Topo Map Resource number: 5BL.6065 9 Temporary resource number: N/A Sketch Map Resource number: 5BL.6065 10 Temporary resource number: N/A Aerial Map Resource number: 5BL.6065 11 Temporary resource number: N/A Photograph Location Key Resource number: 5BL.6065 12 Temporary resource number: N/A Photographs Photo #: 1 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: WSW P7310924 Front façade of the North Wing Photo #: 2 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: NNW P7310925 Front Façade, showing columns and concrete spans and front entrance Resource number: 5BL.6065 13 Temporary resource number: N/A Photo #: 3 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: NW P7310929 Side entrance to south courtyard Photo #: 4 Date: 4/22/2016 Direction Facing: ENE P4220696 South side of the building, at the juncture with the bridge addition, Boulder Creek Path running underneath Resource number: 5BL.6065 14 Temporary resource number: N/A Photo #: 5 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: ESE P7310938 Rear elevation of the building, with rear parking lot and loading dock. Photo #: 6 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: SE P7310940 Northwest corner of the building. Note cornice and Lyons formation sandstone masonry Resource number: 5BL.6065 15 Temporary resource number: N/A Photo #: 7 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: SSE P7310941 North side of the building at the side entry to the north courtyard Photo #: 8 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: ENE P7310949 Interior. Main entrance, looking out from the gallery Resource number: 5BL.6065 16 Temporary resource number: N/A Photo #: 9 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: WSW P7310951 Interior. Gallery at the main entrance. Photo #: 10 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: WSW P7310954 Interior. Original Staircase Resource number: 5BL.6065 17 Temporary resource number: N/A Photo #: 11 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: N P7310952 Interior. Curved glazed entry to the north courtyard Photo #: 12 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: NE P7310956 North Courtyard Resource number: 5BL.6065 18 Temporary resource number: N/A Photo #: 13 Date: 4/22/2016 Direction Facing: NW P4220685 South courtyard looking toward entrance to building. Photo #: 14 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: SE P7310934 1974 bridge and raised concrete addition Resource number: 5BL.6065 19 Temporary resource number: N/A Photo #: 15 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: SSE P7310931 View of Boulder Creek running under the 1974 bridge addition Photo #: 16 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: N P7310978 1974 Bridge Addition Resource number: 5BL.6065 20 Temporary resource number: N/A Photo #: 17 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: WSW P7310969 1974 Addition Photo #: 18 Date: 7/31/2016 Direction Facing: S P7310983 Resource number: 5BL.6065 21 Temporary resource number: N/A Historic Photographs: key to locations and directions Resource number: 5BL.6065 22 Temporary resource number: N/A Historic Photographs Photo #: 1 Date: 1962 Photograph courtesy of the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History Front façade of the library at night. Photo #: Date: 1961 Direction Facing: Photograph courtesy of the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History. Looking into the entry hall from the central area Resource number: 5BL.6065 23 Temporary resource number: N/A Photo #: 4 Date: 1962 Photograph courtesy of the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History. Seating in the Fiction area Photo #: 5 Date: 1962 Photograph courtesy of the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History. Reference area Resource number: 5BL.6065 24 Temporary resource number: N/A Photo #: 6 Date: 1962 Photograph courtesy of the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History. The Children’s area of the library, facing the Children’s courtyard. Photo #: 7 Date: 1962 Photograph courtesy of the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History. Children’s Courtyard Resource number: 5BL.6065 25 Temporary resource number: N/A Photo #: 8 Date: 1962 Photograph courtesy of the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History. Auditorium and gallery Photo #: 9 Date: 1962 Direction Facing: Photo ID: Photograph courtesy of the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History. Looking into the south courtyard from the fiction area Resource number: 5BL.6065 26 Temporary resource number: N/A Photo #: 10 Date: 1962 Photograph courtesy of the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History. Looking down toward the open central area from the second floor stacks. Photo #: 11 Date: 1962 Photograph courtesy of the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History. Looking down into the Fiction stacks and seating from the central area. Resource number: 5BL.6065 27 Temporary resource number: N/A Photo not mapped Date: 1962 Photograph courtesy of the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History. James Hunter, architect of the 1961 BPL, seated, and Claude Settlemire, Boulder Public Library director, standing, in the east (fiction) area of the new library. Photo not mapped Date: circa 1974 Blueprint image of the library plan, from the 1974 renovation. Source: Celsus, A Library Architecture Resource: The Boulder Public Library 1974 Renovation. Accessed July 28, 2016. https://libraryarchitecture.wikispaces.com/Boulder+Public+Library+1974+Renovation+and+New+Addition Resource number: 5BL.6065 28 Temporary resource number: N/A Photo not mapped Date: 1974 Photograph courtesy of the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History. Looking down from the upper level stacks to the reference area below. Photo not mapped Date: 1974 Photograph courtesy of the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History. Children in the Children’s area of the Boulder Public Library.