What will the new library look like?
Maya Lin presented her designs for the reimagined Neilson Library at a campus event on Friday, October 14, 2016. She has spoken of her desire to have the redesigned structure fit into the campus in a welcoming, natural way; she describes her approach as “contextual,” or responsive to the buildings nearby. Lin describes her aesthetic as using lots of natural light, stone, wood, glass and steel. The natural environment has always been an important source of inspiration for Lin, and the Neilson redesign will be in keeping with the ideas of Frederick Law Olmsted, one of the nation’s greatest landscape architects, whose 1893 master plan for Smith placed the library at the heart of the campus.
How do you “futureproof” a library? How do you think 50 years ahead?
An important goal in the design and construction of a new Neilson is to create a resilient building with spaces that are flexible and adaptable to changing needs. While we can’t predict what those needs may be, we can design spaces that can respond to technological changes and be reprogrammed for new uses without great cost.
Will the building include quiet study spaces?
Yes! One of the main goals of the renovation is to create more welcoming, quiet study spaces, as well as spaces for other activities. Maya Lin has spoken a lot about contemplative spaces for work, and that approach is evident in her buildings.
Will there be faculty offices in the new library?
Recommendations for faculty offices as well as other uses of space in the new building are included in the library program planning document, which was developed in fall 2015 by the Library Program Committee, with assistance from the architects, and submitted to the board of trustees in early 2016.
What types of sustainable practices will be used in the new building?
Creating a sustainable building has been a critical objective in the design and architectural planning process. Shepley Bulfinch will be engaging a sustainability consultant firm to assist in assuring that all phases of construction and occupancy reflect the college’s commitment to sustainability. The director of campus planning and sustainability is a member of the program committee as well as the Project Coordinating Team.
What types of accessible services will be offered in the new building?
The design and architect team is working with the college’s Office of Disability Services throughout the project to ensure that students, faculty, staff and visitors with disabilities will have equal access to and be able to participate fully in the new library complex and its programs, services and technology.
Why were Maya Lin and Shepley Bulfinch chosen for this project?
The Lin/Shepley Bulfinch team was chosen for the project after an international search. Maya Lin’s celebrated work in the combined fields of architecture, art and landscape, coupled with Shepley Bulfinch’s extensive experience in creating 21st-century academic libraries, will create a new library that is not only functional but forward looking.
Does Smith have design guidelines that dictate the architectural style of its buildings?
No, Smith does not have such guidelines. As a result, the campus features a vibrant array of buildings representing a range of architectural styles.