PROJECT NARRARTIVE
Deep in the heart Georgia State University’s Atlanta campus (GSU), Library North serves as the campus’ main student library facility and is seated immediately adjacent to the new campus greenway. Serving more than 10,000 students daily, the greenway offered great opportunity for Library North’s entry to became an anchor for the pedestrian path.
This new amenity, however, also brought challenges for the library. In implementing the new greenway, the masterplan removed a raised plaza where one previously entered the library. In 2020 the design team worked with the library and campus leadership to create a reimagined entry lobby that would help to energize the Greenway, both daytime and night, expand informal meeting areas and continue to serve the vast number of visitors each day. Additionally, the design team worked within the library’s available utility services and functionally preserved a primary campus fiber hub, both of which allowed capital funds to be applied to new construction, not demolition.
The entry incorporates a monumental stair with three tiered study areas, three informal meeting/study zones, two elevators and a secondary security desk. It was important to the library that the areas outside the main security desk be open to all, as a public amenity during library hours. The variety of accessible, desirable spaces offer students and visitors alike a daylight-filled public space to co-mingle, read, study, hang-out or gather in small groups.
Materials throughout the addition were carefully balanced between campus standards, durability, blending with the existing library terrazzo floors, energy efficient products and smart sustainable decisions. From polished concrete floors to a wood look acoustical ceiling to stainless steel railings that don't block views, the result is a bright inviting space that will stand up to the everyday constant use.
Adding delight to the project, through careful management of the budget and decision making, the design team was able to facilitate what was initially a dream into a reality. The new rooftop terrace offers a unique amenity for the library, one that they can share with the larger campus and local community truly expanding this desirable student destination in a different way.
Library North Addition & Renovations
Category
College/University
Description
Owner
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA
Architecture Firm
COLLINS COOPER CARUSI ARCHITECTS
Atlanta,Georgia
collinscoopercarusi.com
Photography By:
©2022 Creative Sources Photography, Inc.
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