Snøhetta is collaborating with Stantec to design a library for Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Envisioned as the campus' "social and academic heart" for students and the surrounding community, the new building will house a "variety of study spaces, resource centers, sophisticated information technology, public spaces and event hall" upon completion in Fall 2018.  

View to North from the Founder?s Garden. Image © Snøhetta

Snøhetta is collaborating with Stantec to design a library for Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Envisioned as the campus' "social and academic heart" for students and the surrounding community, the new building will house a "variety of study spaces, resource centers, sophisticated information technology, public spaces and event hall" upon completion in Fall 2018.  
View from Southeast. Image © Snøhetta

From the architects: The design is inspired by the historic academies of Greek antiquity, where social spaces for exchanging ideas were primary and storage of written content took a secondary role. Snøhetta?s design challenges the traditional typology of the research library solely as a repository for books and archives, and instead provides a diversity of spaces that will spark chance encounters, enable collaboration, and encourage knowledge-sharing amongst its users. Not...