Ikon 5 Architects

Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York

Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York
© Jeffrey Totaro

MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE LIBRARY, THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

Ikon.5 Architects

PHOTOS
Jeffrey Totaro

STATUS
Built

BUDGET
$10m - 50m

SIZE
25,000 Sqft - 100,000 Sqft

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Brooklyn, New York, NY, United States

TYPE
Educational › University

Set within the existing Bedford building of The City University of New York, the Medgar Evers College Library transforms an existing 45,000 square foot traditional library into a modern information commons.

Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York
© Jeffrey Totaro
Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York
© Jeffrey Totaro

A new addition, located adjacent to the library, adds a glassy 2,000 square foot welcome center that gives the library a more civic presence on the street while providing new front door to the College along Bedford Avenue.

The concept for the renovation is inspired by illuminated manuscripts and their modern counterpart, the computer screen.

Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York
© Jeffrey Totaro
Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York
© Jeffrey Totaro

Treating each interior surface as a bright reflective page, the renovation transforms the former dark and shadowy space into a bright and airy learning environment, taking advantage of an existing north-facing two-story glass wall to admit light deep within the building.

Natural light enters the three story space from the north facing windows and an overhead skylight to illuminate the space frame, interior surfaces, sculptural stair, group study rooms and offices.

Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York
© Jeffrey Totaro
Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York
© Jeffrey Totaro

A new three-story opening along the north facade and new sculptural staircase physically and visually link all three levels.

This opening increases the legibility of the space and the building’s clarity by allowing visitors to see the various program functions of the library at entry.

Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York
© Jeffrey Totaro
Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York
© Jeffrey Totaro

The result is a light-filled inspiring information commons with adjacent study and classroom spaces.

Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York
© Jeffrey Totaro
Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York
© Jeffrey Totaro


Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York
Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York
Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York
Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York


Medgar Evers College Library, The City University of New York

Ikon 5 Architects
T +1 212 9562530
Ikon 5 Architects
147 W 25th St 11th fl, New York, NY 10001, United States