Library Buildings around the World

in traditional research facility configurations. Furthermore, each lab space will retain its own unique characteristics given its
placement within the vertical sequence of laboratories and its relation to the exterior.
The Media Lab is frequently toured by visiting academics, sponsors, and film crews eager to meet with researchers and to catch a
glimpse of the latest research projects. The building will be crowned with a 12,000 square foot event, conference, and teaching center
offering a panoramic view of the Boston skyline across the Charles River. In a reciprocal relationship, the new building will
contribute to MIT’s skyline with a soft and variegated silhouette that will glow within a framework of pastel masonry buildings.
The building will be sheathed in an aluminum and glass façade with a second layer of louvered screens that will overlay the glazing
of the double height lab spaces providing the necessary environmental controls. The laboratories will have an abundance of natural
light and a variety of views to the exterior, which is in stark contrast to ordinary laboratory facilities that are often highly concealed.
The exterior image of the building is expected to transform throughout the day with the changing sunlight conditions illuminating
the varying levels of transparency and spatial depth occurring within the building.
(http://architypereview.com/24-university-/projects/840-the-media-lab-complex/description)
HUL Administration, OIS & Weissman Preservation Center – Harvard University Library,
Cambridge, MA – USA 2006
Awards:
LEE Gold status
On August 21, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) designated the University Library's multiservice facility at 90 Mt. Auburn
Street a gold-certified,sustainably designed and constructed "green building." Through its LEED (Leadership in Environmental and
Energy Design) certification program, USGBC recognizes concerted efforts to select sustainable sites, improve water efficiency,
minimize energy use, select environmentally preferred building materials, provide an improved indoor environmental quality, and
utilize innovative strategies to improve building performance. LEED certification is the nationally accepted benchmark for the
design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.
The University Library inaugurated operations from 90 Mt. Auburn Street in May 2006, uniting under a single roof HUL's Office
for Information Systems (OIS), Weissman Preservation Center (WPC), and Open Collections Program (OCP), as well as
Cambridge-based personnel for the Harvard Depository and HUL human resources. The facility, constructed and operated by
Harvard Real Estate Services, was designed by Leers Weinzapfel Associates Architects of Boston, with an equally green interior fitout
commissioned by HUL and designed by Samuel Anderson Architects of New York City.
From the outset, 90 Mt. Auburn Street was conceived as a green building. Geothermal heat pumps heat and cool the building and
provide its hot-water supply. While such systems have a fairly long history in residential construction, Harvard is a leader and
innovator in installing ground-source heat pumps (GSHP) in institutional buildings, such as 90 Mt. Auburn Street.
Other green features include variable-speed drives on hot and chilled-water pumps, energy-efficient lighting, and "low-e" glazing in
the windows, which together led to 90 Mt. Auburn Street's rating as 32% more efficient than a comparable building of standard
construction. With its Energy Star roof and careful window placement—the majority of the fenestration has a northern exposure—
the building limits its solar heat gain and lessens its cooling load throughout the year. Highly efficient sinks and toilets yield an
estimated 43% reduction in water use.
According to Barbara Graham, associate director of the University Library for administration and programs, "The building
exemplifies 'green' construction techniques and the University's commitment to them. HUL itself commissioned Sam Anderson's
interior fit-out of 90 Mt. Auburn Street. We're proud to provide an unquestionably green environment as well as well-designed work
spaces—notably the special collections conservation lab—that reflect the important nature of the work that HUL does every day."
(http://hul.harvard.edu/publications/hul_notes_1339/auburn_gold.html)
LEGAT Architects, Chicago – USA
http://www.legat.com
Libraries:
Rock Valley College. Estelle M. Black Library Renovation, Rockford, IL – USA 2007
[Rockford, Illinois] – A blank concrete wall. Last year, that was the “face” the Estelle M. Black Library displayed to the Rock Valley
College (RVC) parking lot. Inside, the library was dark and outdated: few windows, dim lighting, and the same red carpeting since
the library was built in 1971. In July, 2007, the library re-emerged as a campus destination. A new glass entry displays library
activity to those in the parking lot. A glass wall and a skylight disperse natural light throughout the interior. And light beige
carpeting inlayed with leaf patterns has replaced the gawky red. “The renovated space draws students and staff into a more
welcoming building and library setting with plenty of natural light, a beautiful view of the Rock Valley campus, plus specifically
designed group meeting space for students, additional technology accessibility, and wonderful quiet study spaces”, says Sam
Overton, RVC VP of Administrative Services. He adds, “The door count data prove the new environment is making a difference.”
The 60,100 square foot renovation was completed at a cost of $81 per square foot. The Force behind the Change The project began
in 2004 when RVC created a Task Force. Its goal: to bring more students, staff, and community members into the library. Working
with designers at Legat Architects, the task force explored ways of responding to the needs of today’s community college user.
Discussions covered programming, zoning, technology, and aesthetics. Throughout the project, the team refined the program and
design based on input from many stakeholders: faculty, library and administrative staff, students, and community members.
An Invitation to the Community Prior to renovation, visitors had trouble finding the library. There was no clear exterior
identification. After passing through RVC’s main entry, users had to traverse a long corridor to find the library’s non-descript
entry. Also, students often disturbed library activity as they passed through it to get to non-library classrooms. Today, the library’s
glass-faced entry welcomes students and community. A light-filled commons area next to the library avoids disruption, and attracts
students from the bordering classroom buildings. “The commons offers a coffee bar and lounge seating to promote student
interaction, while a curved sheet of glass displays the library, visually connecting it to this campus life space,” says Greg Spitzer,
project designer with Legat. Light and Views Previously, the main floor was windowless, and the few windows on the upper level
only brought light to stacks. “Glass played an important role in achieving the Task Force’s goal of creating a much more open,
connected feeling within the library,” says Jeffrey Sronkoski, director of higher education at Legat Architects. A floor-to-ceiling
glass wall and a 20’ by 20’ skylight bring natural light to both levels. Stacks moved to the center, opening up spaces for study along
the periphery. For instance, students had trouble determining where or if they could study in groups. Now the upper level offers
bright study rooms with views of a “natural corridor” (i.e., trees and creek), as well as other campus buildings. Zoning also needed
improvement; classrooms with non-library functions were dispersed throughout the facility. The renovations separate all library and
non-library functions. Also, the layout offers strategically located campus life spaces with soft seating for collaboration, study, and
spontaneous discussion. Blue accents within the carpet create a “main street” that starts at the entrance and passes through the main
areas of the library. Evidence of Success Before renovation, library user door count averaged 3,165 per week during the early fall
semester of 2005. After renovation, that number has grown to 3,889 – a 19% usage increase – in the fall of 2007. “Part of our mission
is to foster innovative, collaborative relationships between students, faculty, and the community,” says RVC Administrative Services
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