(CS1.3) Restoring A Monument In The Bronx: Saving Stanford White’s Masterpiece

The Gould Memorial Library (GML), constructed circa 1899, is the heart of today's Bronx Community College, the first college campus designated a National Historic Landmark, and the center of a complex that includes the first Hall of Fame of Great Americans. GML’s eclectic classical revival style is accentuated by a rich material palette, intricate detailing, a play of spatial compression and release, and dramatic lighting. Recognized as Stanford White’s greatest work, GML was designated a NYC Landmark in 1966 and National Historic Landmark in 2012.
While celebrated during its opening, GML was rendered functionally obsolete by new campus structures and despite its grandeur, was beset by diminished use and deferred maintenance in the latter half of the twentieth century. By the early 2000s, chronic water infiltration through GML’s roofs and upper walls, and a fire in an attic threatened its structural stability and interior systems. Furthermore, GML’s functionality has been limited by a lack of an accessible entrance or elevator, a poorly functioning mechanical system, and inadequate lighting.
Despite these conditions, a combination of public and private interests has proactively supported GML’s restoration and adaptive reuse. In 2017 the design team completed a conditions assessment study funded by the non-profit Friends of Gould Memorial Library. This work was concurrent with the planning for restoration of the dome and upper walls, funded by the City University of New York (CUNY). In 2019 the roof and masonry restoration project began in earnest.
The project aimed to stop water infiltration, secure at-risk structural elements, restore the upper roofs and walls to their original splendor, and position the structure for planned phases of future restoration. It relied upon traditional materials, installed utilizing contemporary methodologies and standards, with an emphasis on longevity, durability, and compatibility. Completed in 2023, the project team created unique solutions to replace traditionally stamped copper shingles and decorative elements, reconstructed the cupola skylight ventilator, replaced clay roof tile systems and improved drainage, and reclad the drum with custom colored and shaped bricks. Furthermore, they upgraded the lighting of GML’s signature landmarked rotunda, and provided a fall protection system for regular maintenance access. The project successfully integrated the experience of skilled tradespeople, the expertise of professional specialists, and the rigorous application of traditional and contemporary techniques to the unique configuration of the site.
The Gould Memorial Library holds a cherished place on the Bronx Community College campus. The work completed to date has arrested chronic, ongoing deterioration and sets the stage for further improvements to accommodate future occupancy. With the current work completed, and with future phases planned for when funding is secured, GML will again become an active centerpiece of the college and a symbol for the entire CUNY system.