Architecture studio Snøhetta has completed the Far Rockaway Library in New York, which is wrapped in fritted, orange ombre glass covered with thin, white script by Brooklyn artist José Parlá.
Located in the Far Rockaway neighbourhood of Queens, the building replaces a former library on site and doubles its size.
Snøhetta has unveiled the Far Rockaway Library n Queens
At 18,000 square feet (1,672 square metres), the Far Rockaway Library has a triangular form. Its facade runs the length of its corner site, with rectangular sections cut away at its two back corners and a pyramid slice over the entrance.
A lobby, information desk, teen area and offices are located on the first level, while an adult and children's area are located on the second, along with a quiet room. The facade features a mural by artist José Parlá
The building's distinctive orange facade was informed by the sunsets of the surrounding coastal area, while José Parlá's Style Writing mural takes cues from "New York City's writing culture".
"Both Parlá's work and the name of the library are born from New York City's writing culture, an artistic movement young artists created art on the walls and subway trains of the city during the sixties and early seventies when many people felt current forms of writing were not so beautiful," said the studio.
The mural depicts words from daily life in New York City
The work depicts words and languages heard in New York City's everyday "citysca...