Nauset Construction completes $6.8 million Eastham Public Library

Eastham, MA Nauset Construction is managing the final touches to the recently completed $6.8 million new Eastham Public Library. Designed by Oudens Ello Architecture, the 18,000 s/f structure nearly doubles the space of the previous building, providing a library facility while incorporating the restored original historic one-room library building (constructed in 1897 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places) into the new design. P-Three Inc. of Norwell served as the owner’s project manager.

Eastham Public Library - Eastham, MA

“Eastham’s new library successfully melds the historic character of the original library with the enhanced functionality and energy efficiency of a modern facility,” said Anthony Papantonis, president of Nauset Construction. “The new building will serve a host of purposes for both the year-round community and seasonal visitors while providing lovely views of the pond for library patrons.”

The original preserved room serves as the “headpiece” for the new library, welcoming visitors into the newly constructed facility that features large, energy-efficient windows designed to maximize the amount of natural light coming into the building. The upper level of the two-tiered building consists of a lobby, a 110-seat multipurpose community room, the circulation desk, and an adult reading room (with a natural gas fireplace), arranged around a central reading garden to take full advantage of the dramatic water views.

The lower level houses the children’s and young adult rooms with direct access to an outdoor program area. The building design maximizes flexibility of use during normal library hours as well as off-hour community use, and promotes adaptability to future program changes. The new library has also incorporated the latest in green building technologies, including a roof design that will allow for the installation of energy-producing photovoltaic panels in the near future. Nauset also constructed a 52-space parking lot over the new nitrogen-reducing septic system – replacing the parking lot previously located within the wetland buffer. This will ensure against any negative impact on the water quality of the pond. The completed project is qualified for USGBC LEED Silver certification.

The project was not without its trials. The record-setting winter of 2014-2015 caused delays at the start of construction, and the preservation and restoration of the historic one-room library presented significant coordination and engineering challenges. This building section had to be carefully separated and set aside via crane in order to protect it during the demolition of the balance of the existing structure. It was then restored and tied back into the newly constructed library. “This project was a testament to the power of committed collaboration between all of the stakeholders – from incorporating the historic structure into the new library, to protecting the wetlands, to building on a tight site,” said Nauset Construction President, Anthony Papantonis.

This is the second collaboration between the Nauset and Oudens Ello teams, which in 2014 successfully completed a similar library project for the Town of West Tisbury. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place November 15th following the connection to the Town of Eastham’s water system.

Oudens Ello Architecture is a Boston-based, full-service architecture and urban design office specializing in cultural, academic and institutional projects. OEA are experts at creating unique architectural solutions that respond to their specific physical and cultural contexts and reflect a close collaborative relationship with each client. Recently completed LEED certified libraries for the towns of Millis and West Tisbury, Massachusetts have been widely praised for their inventive site and building planning, sensitivity to community context and green building technologies. Ongoing library designs for the towns of Eastham and Scituate, Massachusetts reinforce OEA’s commitment to transforming the New England town library typology into the efficient, flexible, fresh and vibrant community centers they are today.

P3, Project Planning Professionals, is an Owner’s Project Management firm located in Norwell, MA.   Recognizing a need for Owners to be protected during the complex process of building design and construction, the Presidents of three Norwell based firms representing the  contracting, architectural and engineering disciplines came together to form a Project Management firm whose experience and background encompass all aspects of the design and construction process. P3 provides expertise in guiding Owners to successful projects and has completed projects throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts including the Adams Library in Kingston, a 2013 Massachusetts Historical Preservation Award Recipient, the Westfield City Hall Renovation and Restoration, and construction of the new Rowe Elementary School. P3 puts the needs of its clients first and is committed to maintaining an open flow of information to the community to ensure a successful, on-time, and on-budget project. 

Nauset Construction is a construction management and design-build firm run by industry veterans with a shared goal of providing an unparalleled positive client experience. Nauset excels at complex projects on challenging sites with aggressive time and budget requirements - often in sensitive, occupied and operational environments. Proactive decisions are made based on years of proven experience while orchestrating project-team cooperation and collaboration to inherent unforeseen challenges. Taking a collaborative approach throughout the project cycle, Nauset provides creative ideas and alternative methods that reduce cost and increase value to its clients, while creating lasting relationships.