The Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America is a special collections library within the Havard University Library system. The library’s archives and collections are held within the building and put on display in a gallery space open to the public.
CHANGES OVER TIME
The Schlesinger Library building was constructed in the early 20th century. Over the years, the Library has gone through a series of large and small renovations and floor plan changes.
The implementation of these alterations contributed to significant floor plan dimension changes. These changes in dimension have accrued incrementally over time as changes have been made to meet contemporary building code and functional needs.
EXISTING SPATIAL 'DNA'
While many aspects of the Library’s public programs have changed through its history of alternations, the original and existing floor plans reveal a spatial ‘DNA’ that remains legible. The spatial ‘DNA’, the inherent underlaying spatial organization in the building, remains embedded in the bones of the building.
The original relationship between the buildings space and its structure helped inform the space planning process. Where possible, the building’s spatial organization should complement the building’s original long axis.
INTERNAL CORE REWORK
Based upon an understanding of the existing spatial ‘DNA” and current building infrastructure a reworking of the core was proposed. The core footprint has grown over 40% of its original size. The dimensions of corridors and spaces around the elevator have been significantly reduced and this, in turn has impacted the efficiency of material flows and public/staff circulation.
Changing the core area would help unlock spaces within the building, improve the spatial experience of working in the library, and gain much needed usable square footage on each floor plate.The internal core rework scheme proposes a new elevator and a compact fire stair. The reworking of the core frees up space on each level totaling 1,035 SF of gained program space.
CLASSROOM
The addition of a classroom and learning space was identified early on in the planning space stage to continue the sharing, education, and reproduction of the library’s archival materials. The goal
of the classroom was to create a space where manuscripts can be enlarged for group analysis, rough on-the-spot digitization, and small area for materials to be stored for seminar classes.
THE POORVU GALLERY
The Lia Gellen Poorvu Gallery is the public face of the archive. The gallery space is suited to display both original physical artifacts and digital media. The design concept frees up the walls and floor for flexible exhibition by incorporating the gallery infrastructure into a flexible ceiling.
A slatted ceiling covers over the main body of the gallery space. The system is designed to disguise track lighting, sprinklers, AV support, power, and data feeds. The slats are connected to each other in 5’x 10’ panels and hung off the ceiling. HVAC piping is installed above the level of the slats. In the southwest corner of the gallery, the slats fold down to move below a larger supply air duct. This ceiling system helps connect the reception desk and entry area to the rest of the gallery space.
GALLERY 'TOOL BOX'
The gallery ‘tool box’ is a free-floating enclosure which contains support infrastructure including display cases, movable walls, and AV equipment. The south face of the ‘tool kit’ is an important display and projection surface for exhibits.