When tasked with transforming an early 1920s Italian Renaissance bank building into a fully functional library for the Rhode Island School of Design, the Building Team for RISD's Fleet Library found itself at odds with the project's two main goals.
On the one hand, the team would have to carefully restore and preserve the historic charm and ornate architectural details of the landmark space, despite the new use.
At the same time, the landmark banking hall would have to accommodate the library program—a collection of 130,000 volumes and 400 periodicals, an amphitheater, circulation desk, viewing rooms, student lounge, and study space for 250 students—without jeopardizing the historic character of the space.
The team resolved the conflict by placing two low-profile and completely removable “islands” in the middle of the barrel-vaulted banking hall. Constructed of fireproofed medium-density fiberboard, the islands more than quadruple the square footage of the hall to 55,000 sf, providing much-needed function space for the library.
The two-level “study island” (32x51 feet) provides a reading room, study carrels, and an amphitheater/seating area where students can hang out or study. The 30x30-foot, single-level “circulation island” incorporates the circulation desk, reference desks, and computer stations. The islands are positioned symmetrically in the long axis of the room and frame an open reading lounge in the center.
Reconstruction Awards honorary chair Walker C. Johnson, FAIA, principal with Johnson Lasky Architects, Chicago, said the use of the circulation and study islands was an “innovative solution” for solving space and seating issues in the existing bank space—thus meriting Fleet Library Special Recognition honors in BD+C's 24th Annual Reconstruction Awards.
Related Stories
| Jan 11, 2014
Getting to net-zero energy with brick masonry construction [AIA course]
When targeting net-zero energy performance, AEC professionals are advised to tackle energy demand first. This AIA course covers brick masonry's role in reducing energy consumption in buildings.
| Dec 30, 2013
Calatrava facing legal action from his home town over crumbling cultural complex
Officials with the city of Valencia, Spain, are blaming Santiago Calatrava for the rapid deterioration of buildings within its City of Arts and Sciences complex.
| Dec 19, 2013
Mastering the art of crowd control and visitor flow in interpretive facilities
To say that visitor facility planning and design is challenging is an understatement. There are many factors that determine the success of a facility. Unfortunately, visitor flow, the way people move and how the facility accommodates those movements, isn’t always specifically considered.
| Dec 13, 2013
Safe and sound: 10 solutions for fire and life safety
From a dual fire-CO detector to an aspiration-sensing fire alarm, BD+C editors present a roundup of new fire and life safety products and technologies.
| Dec 10, 2013
16 great solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors
From a crowd-funded smart shovel to a why-didn’t-someone-do-this-sooner scheme for managing traffic in public restrooms, these ideas are noteworthy for creative problem-solving. Here are some of the most intriguing innovations the BD+C community has brought to our attention this year.
| Dec 6, 2013
French concert hall includes integrated musical elements [VIDEO]
La Métaphone, a concert hall in Ognies, France, is a 1,980-sm facility with the unique characteristic of being a structural musical instrument. The solar-powered building incorporates musical elements in its walls, which can be played by musicians inside or outside the facility.
| Dec 4, 2013
First look: Dubai's winning bid for World Expo 2020 [slideshow]
Dubai has been chosen as the site of the 2020 World Expo. HOK led the design team that developed the master plan for the Expo, which is expected to draw more than 25 million visitors from October 2020 through April 2021.
| Nov 27, 2013
BIG's 'oil and vinegar' design wins competition for the Museum of the Human Body [slideshow]
The winning submission by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and A+ Architecture mixes urban pavement and parkland in a flowing, organic plan, like oil and vinegar, explains Bjarke Ingels.
| Nov 27, 2013
Wonder walls: 13 choices for the building envelope
BD+C editors present a roundup of the latest technologies and applications in exterior wall systems, from a tapered metal wall installation in Oklahoma to a textured precast concrete solution in North Carolina.
| Nov 26, 2013
Construction costs rise for 22nd straight month in November
Construction costs in North America rose for the 22nd consecutive month in November as labor costs continued to increase, amid growing industry concern over the tight availability of skilled workers.
