Library Cafe Plaza, BK College, Brooklyn, NY

The Library Café Plaza at Brooklyn College is a sunken plaza on the west side of the building that was constructed in the 1970’s.  It was renovated slightly in 2004, when an addition was constructed at the north side of the plaza and a new entrance was constructed at the northerly side of the west elevation.

The plaza is entered by the stairs on the south side from the main throughfare and walkway ramp on the north side of around the addition.  There are brick clad retaining walls on the east side of the plaza, which separates a landscaped area of trees and shrubs that provide necessary shade.

The plaza consisted of a brick paver system with bluestone grid on mud bed on concrete subbase.  There were three plaza drains that provided drainage at the plaza level but trapped water at the concrete subbase.  Negative drainage was evident at the vestibule entrance at the northeast corner of the plaza.  Large areas of displaced and loose pavers existed from freeze/thaw cycles, due to trapped water from the lack of bi-level drainage.

The disrepair of the plaza provided an opportunity to redesign the plaza to meet its full potential.  A curvilinear path was introduced from the main stairs to the entrance of the library.  The curvilinear path divided the plaza into two areas for congregation and socialization, with an area for studying and reading.  Planter walls were designed at perimeter with curvilinear path seating within areas.  The new design consisted of decorative concrete pavement sloped to plaza and low drains.  Landscape included low planters and preservation of existing trees for shade.