The Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek branch of the Philadelphia Free Library sits on a one-acre triangular site, bounded by two major vehicular thoroughfares, Cobbs Creek Parkway and Baltimore Avenue. Built in 1925, this library was one of the last constructed as part of Andrew Carnegie’s library initiative. SALT was commissioned by the City of Philadelphia and the Rebuild program to redesign the site for accessible circulation and access to this historic building, develop playful learning opportunities in the landscape, and provide a suite of site amenities, including benches, bike racks, signage, and lighting. During community engagement, our team learned that Blanche Nixon was a beloved and prominent neighborhood figure who advocated for social justice and non-violent means for resolving disputes. Residents wanted her legacy to be memorialized on this site through the design and through public art. The resulting site plan that SALT developed capitalized on the gracious front entry of the building to create an inclusive, accessible, and social landscape for children and adults. Improvements are intended to foster a multi-generational, inviting, and safe environment around this important community resource.

Client: City of Philadelphia, Rebuild

Status: Under Construction, completion in Summer 2024

Collaborators: DIGroupArchitecture, Hunt Engineering, The Roz Group