The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. is housed in a 37,000 sq m landmark building that originally opened in 1972. It is the only library designed by modern master Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

Mecanoo, together with local partner Martinez+Johnson Architecture will transform the main entrance and the two adjacent cores into focal points by making them more transparent, and by designing new spacious public stairwells. This creates a clear and welcoming entrance area, making the facility significantly more legible for visitors. The Great Hall, a centralized area designated for cultural performances and informal events, will be the beating heart of the library.