On March 29, the Smith College Neilson Library, on the Northampton, Mass., campus of Smith College, reopened to students after a four-year, $120 million renovation and expansion that reimagine the library’s 200,000 sf, in the conception of its architectural designer Maya Lin, as an intellectual commons.
Maya Lin Studios teamed with principal architect Shepley Bulfinch and the construction management firm Shawmut Design & Construction on what was Smith College’s largest capital project in a decade.
Also see: A video tour of the completed library here.
The original Smith College library opened in 1909 and had gone through three rounds of renovation before this current project, which included replacing wings that blocked the view of this Berkshires-nestled campus (designed by Frederick Law Olmstead) with two new wings that have a curved, light-filled design made from masonry, wood, and glass.
An oculus provides natural light throughout the library's four floors.
The original building now forms the library’s core whose spacious atrium is illuminated by a four-story oculus. The central floor offers a massive reading area, and the building features flexible and collaborative workspaces, classrooms, contemplative study areas, a sunken courtyard, and event spaces that include an accessible outdoor amphitheater. On the fourth floor, a Skyline Terrace provides sweeping views and an outdoor patio.
Bringing Smith College Neilson Library Into the 21st Century
One of two wings, made of masonry, wood, and glass, that were added to the library's original building.
There’s a Digital Media Hub where students can record podcasts, videos and other media; self-service labs where students can use technologies, such as spatial analysis, gaming software, survey software, and GIS; a User Experience Lab for research and usability testing; and access to large-format and 3D printers, as well as other creativity tools.
The north wing is filled with spaces to support active learning and scholarship, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The south wing brings together special collections—40,000 lineal ft of archival materials—into one climate-controlled space.
“Our team brought to life a groundbreaking vision, one which honors Smith College’s rich history and tradition while providing bespoke capabilities that will serve generations of future students with the latest in sustainability and technology,” says Ron Simoneau, Shawmut’s Executive Vice President.
As part of this project, the nearby Alumnae Gym was renovated and connected to Neilson Library by an interior walkway. Edwina von Gal with Ryan Associates designed the surrounding exterior landscaping.
Neilson Library’s sustainability aspects include a high-performance building envelope, advanced daylighting strategies, and materials that promote health and wellness. The building also has the ability to become an all-electric complex and is pursuing LEED V.4 Gold certification.
Related Stories
Libraries | Oct 21, 2020
Hôtel particulier built in 1642 becomes a media library and park
The project is located in Pélissanne.
Libraries | Sep 25, 2020
Major renovation to Providence’s downtown library is completed
The $29 million project adds light and collaborative space to a 67-year-old wing.
Libraries | Sep 22, 2020
Snøhetta wins design for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
The project is located in Medora, N.D.
Libraries | Sep 18, 2020
Four projects receive 2020 AIA/ALA Library Building Award
2020 AIA/ALA Library Building Award recipients must demonstrate design achievement, including a sense of place, purpose, ecology, environmental sustainability, and of history.
Libraries | Sep 15, 2020
Campus libraries are leaping into the future
The world of information and student populations are constantly evolving. Academic libraries can lead the way as campuses strive to stay ahead.
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2020
2020 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
The 2020 Giants 400 Report features more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Libraries | May 12, 2020
Designing resilient libraries for a post-covid world
As architects, it has been especially interesting to see how public libraries have deployed their physical resources and spaces to continue serving their communities despite these closures.
Libraries | Feb 4, 2020
Design of the Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives unveiled
Diamond Schmitt Architects is designing the project.
Libraries | Jan 23, 2020
Information or community center: The next generation of libraries must be both
Are libraries still relevant in a digital world?
Libraries | Nov 18, 2019
Snøhetta designs Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s new Main Library
The library is located at the center of the rapidly changing North Tryon corridor.