Library Buildings around the World

2010 and was completed in May. Plans for the second phase include upgrades to the library’s exhibition hall; long-term protection
for the Library’s valuable archival collections; and integration of energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable elements.
The two-phase renovation project was the first major interior upgrade since the building’s dedication in 1982. Shepley Bulfinch
completed a master plan for the Library in 2005. (Shepeley)
Xavier University, Conaton Learning Commons and Williams College of Business, Cincinnati, OH - USA
2010
172.000 sqf.
Conaton Learning Commons and Williams College of Business transform Xavier's learning environment while defining Hoff
Academic Quad and creating a campus gateway. Energy-efficient features and sustainable materials demonstrate Xavier's
commitment to a campus that is socially responsible and environmentally sustainable. The 88,000 s.f. Williams College of Business is
a technology-rich environment emphasizing innovative programming and integration with the business community. The open layout
emphasizes collaborative work areas such as the trading room and business center as important assets. Adjoining the University's
main library, the 84,500 s.f. Conaton Learning Commons' service model reaches beyond the integration of library and technology
support with a range of faculty and student development centers, including career services, international student services, academic
skills and community engagement, and the Center for Teaching Excellence. Co-locating faculty development facilities and
technology support creates a shared learning experience for students and teachers, complemented by a 200-seat auditorium and
gallery. The project is being completed in association with MSA Architects of Cincinnati. The two buildings, supported by a new
central utility plant, follow recommendations made in Shepley Bulfinch's 2007 Master Plan. (Shepley)
Atlanta University Center, Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta, GA - USA 2010
100.000 sqf.
This phased renovation creates a vibrant, learning-centered library for the Atlanta University Center and provides a new public face
for the Library's prestigious special collections. The inviting and dynamic main floor houses media creation and presentation space
and robust digital resources. The design preserves and energizes the Library's monumental marble stair with texture, light, and
color, significantly improving acoustics by enclosing the stair in glass. An extended-hours area with informal study spaces and café
can be separated or combined with adjacent library spaces through a series of glass doors. New adjacencies consolidate the central
reference and circulation desk near Information Resources staff, group work, and instructional spaces. The Center serves a
consortium of four of Atlanta's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The renovation implements strategies set forth
in Shepley Bulfinch's 2005 Library Master Plan. (Shepley)
City of Show Low, New Public Library and City Hall Renovation, Show Low, AZ - USA 2010
45.000 sqf., $ 8.000.000
The new Public Library is the first of two major projects and streetscape improvements that are transforming the community,
creating a sense of place with the establishment of a pedestrian-oriented, environmentally friendly downtown. The 20,000 s.f. library
offers a 50% increase in capacity, with a second phase designed to accommodate future expansion. Its form reflects the tradition of
lodge construction in the White Mountains with an environmentally conscious approach. A 150-foot clerestory window brings
daylight deep into the main hall. Following completion of the new library, its former home will be transformed into City Hall. The
two buildings' entrances will be aligned in a direct axis to create a civic portal. The 25,000 s.f. City Hall's highly flexible interior will
accommodate future technological and service needs. These projects follow Merzproject's study of Show Low's long-term major
public facilities. (Shepley)
Marquette University, Ray and Kay Eckstein Hall, Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, WI –
USA 2010
200.000 sqf.
Eckstein Hall advances Marquette's aspiration for a law school that ranks among the best in the country. The Hall offers a physical
metaphor for the University's emphasis on civic leadership, public service, and the common good and, with it, the clarity and
accessibility of learning and the law itself. Its innovative glass wall construction makes visible the building's activities to the public
and passersby, while the columns revealed behind the glass and the structure's brick base emphasize the building's stature and
verticality. The design places an emphasis on the building as a complete learning environment that seamlessly integrates the
prominently sited library and its two-story reading room. Among its facilities are two courtrooms, a conference center, and cafe.
Eckstein Hall was designed by Shepley Bulfinch in association with Opus Architects and Engineers. (Shepley)
Duke University, Link Teaching and Learning Center, Durham, NC – USA 2008
sqf. 23.900
The Link Teaching and Learning Center is a part of the phased renovation to Perkins Library, providing Duke with an innovative,
technology-rich academic environment. Taking advantage of existing space on the lower level of Perkins, the Link is a lab that
expands the boundaries of the physical classroom, facilitating education in a flexible, collaborative setting rich with new media
technology close to library resources. It is one that is fitting for Duke, a leader in the integration of technology resources, including
the distribution of iPods to complement classroom learning. The Link provides classrooms, seminar rooms, and group study spaces
equipped with state-of-the-art audio/visual systems, flanked by interactive areas and the nearby IT helpdesk. The media wall at the
Link entrance helps define the space and promotes technology as a valuable tool that fosters the exploration of innovative teaching
and learning methods. (Shepley)
Colgate University, Case Library and Geyer Center for Information, Hamilton, NY – USA 2007
152.000 sqf.
This expansion and renovation reestablishes Case Library as an academic hub and social crossroads at the base of Colgate's hilltop
campus. An addition of 51,000 s.f. to the original 101,000 s.f. facility allowed Colgate to modernize and expand its library services.
Clearly delineated entryways, a grand stair, and interior "Main Street" improve navigation and access to staff. An automated book
storage and retrieval system for approximately 500,000 volumes is nestled into the hill. With its captivating views of the campus, the
new 5th floor is a dynamic academic and social space, complete with a cafe, 24-hour study areas, a videoconferencing room,
multimedia production suite, and seminar rooms. The plaza outside creates a gathering point and connects to the upper campus. The
project was designed in association with Kendall/Heaton Associates. (Shepley)
Rice University, Fondren Library, Houston, TX – 2006
74.000 sqf.
Awards:
"Best in Renovation - Private" award, Texas Construction Magazine, 2007
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