Portions of the cubes are either removed or expanded to create
an interplay between negative and positive space that allows the
Learning Resource Center to act as a prism that casts sunlight
deep into the Learning Resource Center throughout the day.
A central lantern rises above the building to create an iconic
expression on the campus skyline, a beacon visible from all
corners of the campus.
The building enclosure consists of an aluminum and glass
curtainwall and white terra cotta, a departure from the red clay
brick typically found on campus, to express the primacy of this
learning center. A ventilated rain screen façade, green roof,
and photo optic lighting controls are a few design features that
incorporate a sustainable approach.
“As a lantern for learning, the Learning Resource Center is
symbolically and physically a place on campus for productive
collisions between students. The great lantern serves as a campus
destination for collaboration and social learning within this
commuter school,” said Joseph G. Tattoni, design principal of
ikon.5 architects.
The Learning Resource Center presents opportunities for team-
based learning, experiential learning, and problem-based
learning by providing a variety of learning environments: group
study rooms, seminar rooms, flat-floor computer classrooms,
open tutoring classrooms, and a 100-seat lecture hall. At the
heart of the building, beneath the lantern, lies the Information
Commons, which accommodates computer workstations,
technology and reference help desks, and casual reading
areas. The Center for Academic Excellence is on axis with the
Information Commons and flanked by the College’s Writing
Center. The College’s Boardroom, Faculty Athenaeum, offices,
and Reading Room occupy the second floor, as do the library
stacks, which are lined with carrels for individual study.
“The Learning Resource Center serves as the living room of our
campus, where students study alone or together, congregate and
relax, build community, or simply reflect. The college library has
changed over time, from its traditional role as a repository for
collections of books and materials to a key role in supporting
student learning, exploration and discovery, and enrichment. This
new structure just does that. As dean of the campus, my ultimate
responsibility is to provide our students with the best academic
environment,
THE LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER SERVES AS THE
LIVING ROOM OF OUR CAMPUS, WHERE STUDENTS
STUDY ALONE OR TOGETHER, CONGREGATE AND
RELAX, BUILD COMMUNITY, OR SIMPLY REFLECT.