History meets state of the art 2 case studies: one library blends hi-tech with inspirational architecture. Another links existing edifices in a modern center. What do they have in common? Plenty - College Libraries

University Business, Oct, 2002 by Jeff Morris

The Hurdles

According to Warburg, the idea of consolidating both the science libraries and departments was initiated in the early 1990s by Williams' then-president, Harry C. Payne, who initiated a long-range planning process for the college. But with the Psychology and Math departments in a relatively new building (circa 1975), the idea of moving to some of the oldest buildings on campus met with a predictable response. "Those departments didn't want to give up that newer space," says Warburg. "And when, in 1992, planners actually came in to work out a new library space plan, the Chemistry and Biology departments said, `Why build only a new library? We need new labs and new offices.'" At that point, the president announced there would be no new library until all the science departments could agree, and the project was put off until the next capital campaign. By that time, the decade and century were drawing to a close, and the library space problem had grown even more critical. Fortunately, the science departments had come to agree on the wisdom of an interdisciplinary approach. A search committee was formed to interview potential architects. "We interviewed numerous firms," recalls Warburg. "ZGF asked everybody, `What one thing would you want most in a new facility?' I said, `I want it all on one floor.' When they came back with a plan that was all on one floor, we were blown away!"

Though the task of consolidating nine science departments and six libraries into a single entity was daunting, it was matched by the physical challenge entailed in the Science Center plan: the tying together and revitalization of the three historic Georgian buildings that faced the campus's main quad. The three structures had been constructed separately, with different floor-to-floor heights. While their facades were handsome, the rear of the buildings was cluttered with mechanical systems. The multiple stainless-steel ducts rising up the back walls made the area look more like the rear of an old hospital bordered by blacktop parking lots.

The Solution

In ZGF's plan, the three existing buildings were to be renovated, and a new laboratory building was to be built to their rear. All of the space between the four buildings would be enclosed--while, in a sense, remaining open--through the use of predominantly glass ceilings and walls. It is that enclosed central area that is the Schow Science Library. "Our design solution," says Frasca, "was to put the combined libraries in the heart of the geographic center, both for efficiency and to reflect their interdisciplinary nature." The renovated historic buildings house office, classroom, and auditorium spaces; their original brick exterior walls remain intact (windows and all) and exposed to the interior, forming the perimeter of the library. A system of ramps, stairs, and elevators connect all the elements. Says Warburg, "There were parking lots between buildings. They created huge atriums there, and that's our floor space. How you can go to any of the buildings that make up the Science Center without ever going outside, and it's all unified; it really flows together."