In this week's comments update, readers are struggling to understand how the Hunters Point library in Long Island City passed building approval with many areas not accessible to people with disabilities.
Access denied: commenters are frustrated to discover the recently opened Hunters Point library in Long Island City has a number of areas inaccessible to people with disabilities. Steven Holl Architects has dismissed the issues as "wrinkles normal to the opening of any new building".
"How did it pass building approval"" asked Jacopo. "Accessibility is in the code I don't see how they allowed it in the first place."
JZ continued: "Inaccessible areas are inexcusable and non-negotiable. The Americans with Disabilities Act outlines this clearly. As does the building codes which point to ANSI and ADAAG." "Inaccessibility constitutes far more than a 'wrinkle' these days," added Geof Bob. "And the fact that this is a new building, not a conversion, makes it even less acceptable. If ever a building type justified the 'form follows function' dictum, surely it is a library."
Benny was also annoyed: "Douchy response by Holl. Designing a portion of the building so as to be inaccessible is just not acceptable, especially in a civic building like a library. How this got by planning and got permitted is bewildering."
This reader summarised most readers' thoughts:

Did Steven Holl Architects make a forgivable mist...