Ten firms chosen for second stage of MLK Jr. Memorial Library renovation search

The search to find the architect team to help redesign the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library continues as the competition narrowed down from 26 firms to 10 last month. These 10 teams were invited to create technical proposals on how they would approach renovating the Mies van der Rohe-designed library in Washington D.C. Firms are not expected to submit design concepts in this round. Proposals will be judged by a team of library, urban planning, architecture and preservation experts.

The firms are:

• Cunningham Quill Architects/1100 Architects
• Ennead Architects/Marshall Moya Architects
• Leo A. Daly/Richard Bauer
• Martinez and Johnson Architects/Mecanoo Architects
• OMA/Quinn Evans Architects
• Patkau Architects/Ayers Saint Gross
• REX/Davis Carter Scott Architects
• Shalom Baranes/Davis Brody Bond
• Skidmore Owings & Merrill
• Studios Architecture/The Freelon Group

The D.C. Public Library launched an online crowdsourcing platform on Oct. 18 as one way to let the public provide input on what they want in the library's renovation. The online platform will be available throughout the design process with new topics added. Public feedback provided after Nov. 4 will be passed on to the finalists and the winning team.

Three finalist firms will advance into the last round in mid-December. The winning team will work with library staff and consultants on the renovation, including whether the new library should be a mixed-used building or a stand-alone structure. No final decisions on the library's renovation and extension plan have been made.

Be on the lookout for future updates.

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