- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS -
Rare Book & Manuscript Library
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
FALL 2007
"Courtyard of Knowledge"
Program:
The solution presented here was the result of a project for the University of Illinois School of Architecture Arch 476 Fall Studio. The studio project was developed as a collaboration with the University of Illinois Rare Book Library, when they approached the School of Architecture to engage its students to develop building solutions to house the ever-expanding collection of the library within its own dedicated edifice. This project was developed into a "capstone" studio, where each student was responsible for developing the building in its entirety, i.e. HVAC systems, structure, lighting and other necessary components to gain experience in developing a comprehensive architectural solution.
Site:
A proposed site for the future expansion of the library was utilized for this project, which is located on the South Quad of the University of Illinois. The site is located in an area to the south of the Main and Undergraduate Libraries and on the university's military axis with Foellinger Auditorium to the north and another architecturally, and historically significant building to the south, the Stock Pavilion. In its current form, this site is an open and active green space utilized by students and is desired by the university to remain semi-permeable and accessible. It was imperative for each student's building solution to maintain the current sightlines from the auditorium to the north and the pavilion to the south that closes the quad.
Concept:
My solution to this design question, was to develop a "Courtyard of Knowledge" to house the important and rare relics of the past, of which embody thought and knowledge, within a Classically inspired edifice. This new home of UI’s rare collections is to act as a hub of academic activity with an expanded reading room, reference area, auditorium, classrooms, exhibition area, cafe and an outdoor courtyard. Most important to the new Rare Book Library's design is the much expanded storage capacity, which has been tripled over the library’s current capacity. This larger stack area will allow the library to place several of its collections, scattered throughout campus, within one facility, while fostering their desire for future expansion and collection acquisition. The stack area also provides for automation of retrieving materials, thereby saving the library personnel costs. This design solution also adheres to the sightline requirement by placing the entire courtyard below the surface of the quad. This then still maintains a majority of the existing green space of the quad and creates efficiencies for the operation for the building's systems. The south of the courtyard gradually slopes toward the Stock Pavilion to invite students and the public to enjoy the tranquil space created by the library.
The solution presented here was the result of a project for the University of Illinois School of Architecture Arch 476 Fall Studio. The studio project was developed as a collaboration with the University of Illinois Rare Book Library, when they approached the School of Architecture to engage its students to develop building solutions to house the ever-expanding collection of the library within its own dedicated edifice. This project was developed into a "capstone" studio, where each student was responsible for developing the building in its entirety, i.e. HVAC systems, structure, lighting and other necessary components to gain experience in developing a comprehensive architectural solution.
Site:
A proposed site for the future expansion of the library was utilized for this project, which is located on the South Quad of the University of Illinois. The site is located in an area to the south of the Main and Undergraduate Libraries and on the university's military axis with Foellinger Auditorium to the north and another architecturally, and historically significant building to the south, the Stock Pavilion. In its current form, this site is an open and active green space utilized by students and is desired by the university to remain semi-permeable and accessible. It was imperative for each student's building solution to maintain the current sightlines from the auditorium to the north and the pavilion to the south that closes the quad.
Concept:
My solution to this design question, was to develop a "Courtyard of Knowledge" to house the important and rare relics of the past, of which embody thought and knowledge, within a Classically inspired edifice. This new home of UI’s rare collections is to act as a hub of academic activity with an expanded reading room, reference area, auditorium, classrooms, exhibition area, cafe and an outdoor courtyard. Most important to the new Rare Book Library's design is the much expanded storage capacity, which has been tripled over the library’s current capacity. This larger stack area will allow the library to place several of its collections, scattered throughout campus, within one facility, while fostering their desire for future expansion and collection acquisition. The stack area also provides for automation of retrieving materials, thereby saving the library personnel costs. This design solution also adheres to the sightline requirement by placing the entire courtyard below the surface of the quad. This then still maintains a majority of the existing green space of the quad and creates efficiencies for the operation for the building's systems. The south of the courtyard gradually slopes toward the Stock Pavilion to invite students and the public to enjoy the tranquil space created by the library.
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