OHIO UNIVERSITY | BRASEE HALL LIBRARY RENOVATION

This renovation project aims to evolve the function of the library on campus.  Often seen only as a resource center, the administration at Ohio University challenged the design team to design a place that will draw students to the library as a centerpiece of college life on campus.  The entry to the facility beckons students to enter through media displays and information kiosks.  Once inside the library, there are areas set aside for social interaction, community meetings, and secluded study.  The staff of the library are all centrally located on the “public” level of the library, with active seating and research areas adjacent to the main circulation and reference desk.  Meeting rooms are also close by and feature glass fronts to increase safety and security.  The upper level of the library features quiet areas and all of the stacks to support independent research and and knowledge collection.  Additionally, the upper level accommodates quiet study areas for students and student teams.  This project is also a renovation in an existing building and includes complicated logistics to swing the library to functional alternative space, and difficult decisions regarding anticipated costs for renovations to specific areas of the building.  The project budget also includes a comprehensive roof replacement and upgrades to rest rooms and athletic facilities on the campus as well as the library.