Libraries

Booth & Dimock Memorial Library

Coventry, CT

DRA began working with Coventry in 2015 with a much larger program and a desire to obtain a State Library Grant. With DRA’s design the grant was obtained but the project failed at referendum because it was considered too expensive at $6.7M. DRA then redesigned the building, making it significantly smaller and again it was voted down as too expensive.

Coventry rehired DRA to develop an even smaller project that finally passed in November 2020 and maintained the library grant. At $1.9 M, we had to evaluate all the materials and construction techniques to stay on budget despite the increases in construction costs due to COVID. For example, we eliminated 90% of the structural steel on the project and used wood instead to save money. We also reused existing doors, frames, and hardware in new locations as another strategy.

Improvements include new flooring, new paint, removal of the old elevator shaft, staff work areas were demolished and reconstructed, a new circulation area was created, and electrical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning were upgraded.