Medgar Evers College Library
Set within the existing Bedford building of The City University of New York, the Medgar Evers College Library renovation transforms an existing 45,000 square foot traditional library into a modern information commons. A new addition, located adjacent to the library, adds a glassy 2,000 square foot welcome center that gives the library a civic presence on the street while providing a new front door to the College along Bedford Avenue.
Photography by © Jeffrey Totaro
The concept for the renovation is inspired by the brilliant and reflective pages of illuminated manuscripts and their modern counterpart, the computer screen. Treating each interior surface as a bright reflective page, the renovation transforms the former dark and shadowed space into a bright and airy learning environment that takes advantage of an existing north facing two story glass wall and space frame to admit light deep within the building. Natural light enters the three story space from north facing windows and an overhead skylight to illuminate the space frame, interior surfaces, sculptural stair, group study rooms and offices. A new three story opening along the north facade and new sculptural staircase physically and visually link all three levels. The opening increases the legibility of the space and hence the building?s clarity by allowing the visitor to see the various program functions of the library from the entry. The result is a light-filled inspiring information com...