Stormwater Garden Signage and the Newest Boston Public Library

When the Boston Public Library wanted dramatic new exterior environmental graphics – including interpretive panels and engraved pavers – at its newest branch, in East Boston, they turned to the noted architectural firm, William Rawn Associates. Rawn, in turn, asked for consultative help from Arrowstreet.

And when the time came to fabricate the designs, Rawn and Arrowstreet came to us.

The East Boston Library is the newest branch library in the Boston Public Library system. Located in the middle of Bremen Street Park, the building features three entirely glass walls and soaring roof that allows in filtered light, helping to connect the new Library’s indoor resources with the Park’s natural outdoor elements.

A new series of interpretive panels are located in the Library’s exciting “stormwater garden.”

The new signage uses a series of custom graphics and symbols intended to explain and illustrate to visitors the various features and benefits of the garden.

Most notably, these include exterior collection of stormwater run-off to help keep the plants moist, and landscaping with native plants to minimize watering and maintenance demands.

More ambitiously, the signage is intended to encourage learning experiences, help create the desired image for the new facility, and bolster local pride with its details of local history and culture.

As part of the project, we are fabricating the storm drain covers and channel letters on the raised, laser cut interpretive signs, which are designed to be securely mounted on attractive posts.

As the design of the new Library facility was inspired by Eastie, the building’s local community, there are also twenty-one engraved pavers in the sidewalk and steps along the Reading Porch, near the library’s main entrance. These pavers name the capital cities of the native countries from which many of East Boston’s 40,000 current residents hail, which are as diverse as El Salvador and China.

This is a kind of project that we enjoy, artistically and technically challenging, with a great payoff for the people who live in our great city. Feel free to contact us here for details on this project, or for suggestions on how we can help you with yours.