Corning Community College Library & Learning Commons in New York by HOLT Architects

Article source: HOLT Architects

HOLT Architects was asked by Corning Community College to renovate and modernize the functionality of the College’s traditional Library; centralize the Campus’ Learning Centers; encourage independent learning on Campus and support the 21st century student; and support the 24-hour student by providing facilities for new modes and hours of study.

Image Courtesy © HOLT Architects

• Architects: HOLT Architects (Maria Livingston)
• Project: Corning Community College Library & Learning Commons
• Location: New York, USA

Image Courtesy © HOLT Architects

To achieve the established goals, the design team renovated the entire existing Library and added a 7,800 sf addition to the quad face of the existing structure. The renovated and expanded space totals 33,800 sf and is able to accommodate both the function of the traditional Library and the newly centralized learning centers that now form the Learning Commons.

Image Courtesy © HOLT Architects

The new, comprehensive Library & Learning Commons building provides a holistic approach to student learning outside of the classroom by accommodating both non-tutored (Library) and tutored (Learning Commons) study under one roof. The Library and Learning Commons spaces are linked by a central entry that attracts students to the facility and supports modern social and collaborative activities; keeping the more independent and quiet activity at the building extremes.

Image Courtesy © HOLT Architects

The new entry includes collective spaces such as a café, lobby, community room, and casual seating; and offers visual and physical access to both the Library & Learning Commons.

A centralized staffed desk for library circulation, reference, access services, and IT offers a welcoming presence and supportive entry experience. The nearby and highly visible Learning Commons desk clearly identifies its own space and supports face to face interactions for tutors and students.

Image Courtesy © HOLT Architects

Within the Library space, services were reconfigured to balance the modern student’s needs with the library collection needs – while maintaining a flexibility for continued evolution. Space formerly dedicated to a portion of the physical collection was repurposed as student space that includes a variety of seating areas and accommodates both individual and group study.

Image Courtesy © HOLT Architects

The Learning Commons successfully consolidates all disciplines into a single, centralized “hub” with areas — supported by the hub — that are branded graphically to identify their specific discipline or mark a more fluid multidisciplinary area. The consolidated Learning Center eliminates the independent “learning silos” of academic subjects and creates a cross-functional and integrated facility that is focused on partnership and collaboration.

Image Courtesy © HOLT Architects

Tags: New York, USA

Categories: College, Educational Center, Educational Institute, Library

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