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Charles E. Beatley, Jr., Central Library

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1996–1999, P.G.A.L. with Michael Graves, design architect. 5005 Duke St.
  • (Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress)
  • (Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress)

In this building, Graves, one of postmodernism's superstars, has created one of his typical cluster of building forms and pavilions around a courtyard remindful of his San Juan Capistrano (California) library. Characteristic Gravesian features of large gables, abstract pediments, bay windows, and a circular form, as well as his usual color palette, are intended to relate to a “traditional” neighborhood development across Duke Street on the site of a recently closed army depot. A series of differently shaped interior spaces provide an enlivening experience and also rooms for actually reading a book.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Richard Guy Wilson et al.
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Data

What's Nearby

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Citation

Richard Guy Wilson et al., "Charles E. Beatley, Jr., Central Library", [Alexandria, Virginia], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/VA-01-AL52.

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