flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Shepley Bulfinch given IIDA Design award for Woodruff Library?

Shepley Bulfinch given IIDA Design award for Woodruff Library?

The design challenges included creating an entry sequence to orient patrons and highlight services; establishing a sense of identity visible from the exterior; and providing a flexible extended-hours access for part of the learning commons.


By Posted by Tim Gregorski, Senior Editor | May 9, 2012
The 2010 interior renovation transformed an existing 1980s library into a dynami
The 2010 interior renovation transformed an existing 1980s library into a dynamic gathering place and center of teaching, learni

Shepley Bulfinch has won the “Single Space” category in the 2012 Library Interior Design Competition for the Learning Commons for Atlanta University Center’s Robert W. Woodruff Library. The biennial design award is jointly sponsored by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and the American Library Association (ALA).

The 2010 interior renovation transformed an existing 1980s library into a dynamic gathering place and center of teaching, learning, and scholarship for the communities of the Atlanta University Center’s four constituent Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Central to Shepley Bulfinch’s design response was the creation of a learning commons to span from the main entrance to the central stair. This now serves as the library’s welcoming ‘front door’ and provides primary services and a variety of settings for learning, working, and collaborating.

The design challenges included creating an entry sequence to orient patrons and highlight services; establishing a sense of identity visible from the exterior; and providing a flexible extended-hours access for part of the learning commons. The original marble entry stairs, which were meant to convey a sense of grandeur to visitors, were re-envisioned as a seating area for poetry readings and other small events. They also became a natural demarcation for a portion of the learning commons that could be secured from the rest of the library as an extended-hours space. A glass folding door rises vertically during normal operating hours to act as a canopy. +

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Feb 6, 2015

Obama executive order requires federal construction projects to consider flood damage caused by climate change

To meet the new standard, builders must build two feet above the currently projected elevation for 100-year floods for most projects.

HVAC | Feb 6, 2015

ASHRAE, REHVA publish guide to chilled beam systems

The guide provides tools and advice for designing, commissioning, and operating chilled-beam systems.

Cultural Facilities | Feb 6, 2015

Under the sea: Manmade island functions as artificial reef

The proposed island would allow visitors to view the enormous faux-reef and its accompanying marine life from the water’s surface to its depths, functioning as an educational center and marine life reserve.

Contractors | Feb 6, 2015

Census Bureau: Capital spending by U.S. businesses increased 4.5%

Of the 19 industry sectors covered in the report, only one had a statistically significant year-to-year decrease in capital spending: the utilities sector.

Warehouses | Feb 5, 2015

Self storage facility designed to blend in with Miami Beach's party scene

The plans by architect Gutierrez & Lozano are of a sleek, boutique-looking, 22,500-sf facility at the gateway to the city.

Sponsored | Designers | Feb 5, 2015

3D printing has people in the building and construction industry talking

How can 3D printing affect the building design and construction industry?

Cultural Facilities | Feb 5, 2015

5 developments selected as 'best in urban placemaking'

Falls Park on the Reedy in Greenville, S.C., and the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Downtown Market are among the finalists for the 2015 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence.

Architects | Feb 5, 2015

Toy around with Ittyblox's ultra-detailed building blocks

For Lego fanatics, time is no object when building a model. For those of us with a little less time, Ittyblox is a good solution.

Transit Facilities | Feb 4, 2015

London mayor approves plan for a bicycle highway

The plan will guarantee bike riders a designated stretch of street to ride from east to west through the city.

Sports and Recreational Facilities | Feb 4, 2015

Arup unveils plans for the new A.C. Milan stadium

The venue will include a modern stage for the home matches together with a hotel, sports college, restaurants, children’s playground, green areas, and spaces open to the city and dedicated to public use.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Construction Costs

Data center construction costs for 2024

Gordian’s data features more than 100 building models, including computer data centers. These localized models allow architects, engineers, and other preconstruction professionals to quickly and accurately create conceptual estimates for future builds. This table shows a five-year view of costs per square foot for one-story computer data centers. 


Sustainability

Grimshaw launches free online tool to help accelerate decarbonization of buildings

Minoro, an online platform to help accelerate the decarbonization of buildings, was recently launched by architecture firm Grimshaw, in collaboration with more than 20 supporting organizations including World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), RIBA, Architecture 2030, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and several national Green Building Councils from across the globe.



Healthcare Facilities

Watch on-demand: Key Trends in the Healthcare Facilities Market for 2024-2025

Join the Building Design+Construction editorial team for this on-demand webinar on key trends, innovations, and opportunities in the $65 billion U.S. healthcare buildings market. A panel of healthcare design and construction experts present their latest projects, trends, innovations, opportunities, and data/research on key healthcare facilities sub-sectors. A 2024-2025 U.S. healthcare facilities market outlook is also presented.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021