Another Palace for the People
Kate Holbrook
Digital Commons - RISD (Rhode Island School of Design)
Urban Farm DB summary
The American public library, described as a "palace for the people," was established as a free, democratic haven for the public's literary and educational needs, and has since expanded its services beyond book access to include tool rentals, warming centers, postal services, and more. Building on the public library's identity as a democratic commons, this study proposes a physical expansion of the Boston Public Library into Copley Square. Drawing on the library's autonomous architectural language, the proposal extends its social and educational services through the lens of food systems, allowing patrons to take part in the production, processing, and output of urban agriculture.