JOHN MUIR BRANCH RECOGNIZED BY THE CAHP

The John Muir Branch of the Windsor Public Library has been recognized by the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP) with a 2021 Award of Excellence for Conservation in the architecture category.

Award recipients Jason Grossi (studio g+G inc., architect) and Christopher Borgal (GBCA Architects) will be formally acknowledged at the virtual CAHP Annual General Meeting in October.

The $5.5 million, 7,400 square foot John Muir Branch (363 Mill Street) is comprised of two heritage-designated buildings constructed in a manner that speaks to their past while looking toward present and future library use.  Located in the heart of Windsor’s historic Sandwich neighbourhood, it highlights reclaimed materials and historic construction techniques as well as contemporary library technology.  Notable features include a glass-capped observation tower, a suspended bridge made from reclaimed wood found on site and a flexible performance space available for use by local groups and organizations.

After extensive planning, ground-breaking took place in January 2018. The library opened to the public in September 2019 marking the end of a 4-year journey.

This latest accolade can be added to a growing list of credits enjoyed by the John Muir Branch.  They include:

  • 2019 Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation for exceptional achievement in conserving Ontario’s Heritage;
  • 2020 City of Windsor Built Heritage Award for Heritage Conservation, Adaptive Reuse & Honour; and
  • 2021 OLA Library Building Award.

For more information on the Muir Project, a recently published book, New Libraries in Old Buildings, contains a chapter written by WPL Librarian, Rebecca Mayer.  The chapter details the project from the drawing board through to the gala opening.

UPDATE:  see article on the Branch in Canadian Architect

 

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