Billerica Public Library

Work performed by principal R. Drayton Fair, LEED AP, ALA, AIA, while employed at Tappe Associates.

The original Billerica Town Hall sat vacant for over 10 years on the Town Common before the Billerica Public Library expansion project was able to bring the building back to life. The original cupola had been struck by lighting and removed, vandals had destroyed the grand staircase, and the windows had been broken and boarded up. The design fully restored the original building and expanded the square footage by 25,000 SF by duplicating the mass and roof forms of the historic building and connecting them with a new entry piece, providing full handicapped accessibility for the first time.

Inside, the original Town Hall meeting hall on the second level was restored for use as the new reference room. The addition is open in plan, allowing a new three story bay window to allow natural light deep into the building. The full design is carried throughout with architect designed furnishings and a rich pallet of color finishes.