CUNY | Medgar Evers College Library

Project Description

Set within the 1980s Bedford Building, 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 along Bedford Avenue, adds a glassy welcome center that gives the library greater civic presence while providing a new front door to the College. 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 shadowy spaces of the library 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. A new sculptural staircase physically and visually links all three levels. The result is light-filled information commons with greater community engagement.