The design and construction of the Children’s Library Discovery Center (CLDC) is the implementation of one of the first phases of 1100 Architect’s master plan for the renovation and modernization of the 275,000-square-foot Queens Central Library. The CLDC is a 22,000-square-foot, two-story addition adjacent to the existing Central Library building. The glowing glass façade will be a beacon in the surrounding community and is elemental in increasing the library’s visibility and reintroducing it as a central cultural and social destination. Situated on a corner, the new addition takes advantage of its exposure to the street, creating a dialogue between the interior and exterior through the use of large transparent windows that allow an abundance of natural light to enter. The perimeter wall has been thickened to incorporate quiet reading nooks and intimate social spaces. This project will receive a LEED Silver rating. Public Design Commission of the City of New York, Design Award, 2007.NYC Department of Design and Construction, Design and Construction Excellence ProgramQueens Library Foundation, Award for Excellence in Design, 2011.Photos © Michael Moran/ottoarchive