Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Library renovations engage the visitor
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh embarked on a major effort to modernize and improve its urban system of 22 facilities. Five branches were earmarked for the first wave of renovations, which involved dramatic architectural improvements, technology updates, and collection and services expansions.
We designed inventive exterior and interior signage, as well as a flexible, easy-to-update system of interior signs to help the user navigate the collection.
We enjoy collaborating with architects, and each library renovation offered the opportunity to work with a different firm. As a result, a variety of playful design solutions emerged. Collaborators included Burt Hill, Loysen + Kreuthmeier Architects, Lubetz Architects, and Pfaffmann + Associates.
We also designed a fleet of bold vans, which can be seen all over the Pittsburgh area. Juliette Borda’s distinctive illustration provides an eyecatching “typical” mix of Library users: all ages, colors, and genders, out and about with Library-provided Mozart, Dr. Suess, and Deepak Chopra.