Mr. McCorry,
I too am working on a accessibility upgrade for a Carnegie library in Danville, Illinois. It is listed on the National Register.
Some time in the 1950s, a small (by today's standards) elevator was squeezed in that goes from grade up to the main level, but does not stop at the basement. Part of the upgrade project that I'm working on is to retrofit a LU/LA (limited-use/limited application) elevator into this same hoistway, but also have it stop at the basement too.
I have attached two photos. The elevator is accessed by that white door in the second photo. There's a little 6'x6' vestibule, then you go in the elevator and up to the main floor.
The schematic plans that I drew are public record. I have attached them here too.
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David L Finnigan Assoc. AIA
FWAI Architects Inc.
Springfield IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-10-2020 18:08
From: Timothy McCorry
Subject: Accessibility renovation to Carnegie Library
Greetings colleagues,
We are designing an addition to provide main floor access to a Carnegie library in Avon-By-The-Sea NJ.
As I'm sure you know, these libraries are little gems. Providing accessibility in accordance with ADA guidelines (eg. DO NOT send people with disabilities to a separate entrance) while respecting the integrity of the architecture is just the kind of problem we love to solve, right? Paraphrasing Buckminster Fuller: "I do not seek to make my design solutions beautiful but if, in the end they are not beautiful, then I know they're wrong!"
I'm thinking this really is a case where less is more...a mostly glass lift with immediate access to the main entrance.
If anyone has other precedents in mind I would be glad to hear about it.
Thanks,
Tim McCorry
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Timothy McCorry AIA
Freehold NJ
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