New York Public Library Fountains
All Work | New York, New York
New York Public Library Fountains
New York, New York
Scope
Two historic fountains grace the main facade of the NYPL Schwarzman Building - the main branch of the New York Public Library. Designed by artist Frederick MacMonnies, an Ecole des Baeaux Arts graduate, in collaboration with Carrere and Hastings, designers of the building, the figures in the foundatins represent Beauty and Truth.
At over100 years old, the fountain basins began to leak, the seeping water damaging important technical operations equipment located in the basement below. As a result the fountains were shut down.
Following acquisition of a generous grant from the Wilson Charitable Trust, the NYPL moved forward. JHPA, Inc. was enlisted to determine the source locations of the infiltration, which were numerous. JHPArchitects PC completed a set of restoration documents that addressed the deficiencies in the system, while having minimal impact on the historic fabric of the fountains. Once again operating, the fountains bring great sensual pleasure to library visitors.