Jackson Library: A Multi-Functional Learning Commons

Throughout this project, we studied a lot of precedent work and successful libraries that are already built. I became fascinated with the "learning commons" which is a growing design technique in libraries across the globe. In redesigning the first floor of the Jackson library, I transformed the Reading Room, Reference Room, and everything in between to a multi-functional learning commons. Perhaps the most diverse feature of my design is a space I call the auditorium. It is in the center, joining where the reading and reference room used to meet. During the average use, students can take a seat on one of the 3 foot wide ledges to relax or get some studying done. There are about 60 booth style seat backs that easily pull out of the base to create a comfortable and customizable environment for the user. Whenever the library staff bring guests to give lectures or hold events, this auditorium is easily transformed into an event space. With the seat backs pushed into the base, this 2-sided auditorium easily holds about 100-130 guests. A multi-functional space where students want to spend time at was something I really wanted to bring to the Jackson Library. I hope that my design portrays that.

As you see in the plan above, I relocated all the offices throughout the first floor to where the super lab is currently. By doing this, it opened up the remaining space and allowed all of the librarians and library staff to work in the same space. The circulation desk is approximately where the bathrooms are currently. It fits in between the elevators and staircase allowing direct access for the library staff to their office area which is also where the sorting room is.

This view takes place where the Reference Room currently is. There is a series 20 booths in this space that give people acoustic and visual privacy. Also, each booth has a tv monitor installed so students can hook up their computers and run a group study session.

This view takes place where the Reference Room and Reading Room currently come together. Coming from the College Avenue entrance, it is the room after the vestibule and before the entrance to the room with the EUC connector.

Next Steps in Re-Redesigning the Jackson Library

So on Friday, everyone came to class with their ideas on how to design their assigned library yet again. After talking with my peers, I have some great new ideas to develop. My concept being "water flowing and the flow of knowledge carrying users throughout the library", I struggled with how many curves I should input into my design. After our discussion Friday, I decided on one slight curve through my newly planned learning commons. This curve will encourage users to circulate around the curve to see what may be behind it. I was also really interested in designing a multi functional space that can be transformed into an event/lecture area for guests. My idea is to have a large stadium-like seating in two bracket forms in the main axis. During average use, students can hang out here for casual reading or meeting with friends. When there is a guest speaker, the seating will be closed off to passerbys so people have to walk around it instead of through it. My main design steps are to work on the design of this raised multi-use seating and also the learning commons. The learning commons needs to accommodate for people wanting to be by themselves, with others, on the computer, and more.

"Feedback Loop": Anna Behrendt

After getting a closer look at Anna Behrendt’s redesign of the Music Library at UNCG, I absolutely love its potential. I think with some more development, it could be really great. Her concept is reverberation. This goes perfectly with this music building and her design shows it off with a repetition of forms throughout the space.
In her design, she uses these awesome curved units that provide shelving on the bookends and a private space in the middle. I think the function of these “nooks” is great, but they take up a lot of space and could be used in a better way.

Looking at Anna’s floor plan, these units are all in the center of the room, avoiding the perimeter. While this may work for circulation being able to walk around them, I think they just take up too much space this way. Maybe she can have some up against the wall, and do something else with the center of the space.
Her design focuses on maybe three needs of users: the lounger, the “head-in-the-books” student, and the book-browser. I haven’t done as much research on the music library as Anna has, but I might suggest adding some space for group study/tutoring. I think she could look more into the learning commons strategy that we discussed in class on Wednesday to help provide to the needs of more users. This could help fill up the space if she were to move around the study units.
Another thing I noticed is that while she excelled in the design of the main study units, she really lacks attention to the ceiling and floor. I think doing this would help pull her concept together. Overall, I thought Anna was really creative in her design and I loved her color scheme. I think that if this design was matured to it’s full potential, Anna would have an amazing design that the librarian staff and users would love!

Learning Commons

For a practice of giving 90 second speeches, Jamaan and I reviewed an article called "7 Things you Should Know About the Modern Learning Commons". A learning commons breaks the idea of a traditional library. It combines full-service learning services, research facilities and project spaces for student use. The Jackson Library needs to accommodate the needs of all types of students. With it's current layout, it doesn't do that. A learning commons could eliminate the poor use of space and transform it into a multi-functional student center. Learning commons would be a great addition to university libraries because they promote learning at different paces and provide customizable services. At the Jackson Library, a learning commons could incorporate the superlab, reading room, reference room, and more. Above, is a composition of a few learning commons that Jamaan and I felt were successful and inspirational. The image on the top left is a learning commons proposal for University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, the top right is a proposal for Missouri State, and the 2 images on the bottom is the fully functioning Victoria University Learning Commons in Australia.

Space Plan

In redesigning the first floor of the Jackson Library, I focused on the concept of flowing water and the idea of knowledge flowing from the library onto campus. I separated the first floor into 3 main sections; all offices will be held in the west section (currently the superlab), the main access desk will be in the middle section along with study tables and entrance to the EUC and tower, and the student center will be in the east wing (housing the reading room/reference room/ superlab extravaganza). The central axis from one end of the building to the other will still be used, but in a different way. This includes separation of boundaries by transparent plastic walls instead of the non-welcoming walls that are currently there. Within this axis, I designed a series of curved ceiling panels that will help users with the circulation throughout the first floor in a more natural flow through the spaces.


The plan above shows the separation of spaces with the offices highlighted in light orange, access desk and study tables in light red, and the student center in light violet.




Not only would the ceiling feature help guide users throughout the space, but it also helps lower acoustic levels.

Freelon Group + Paula Carr

I really enjoyed our visit to Freelon Group on Wednesday. It was the first firm that I have been to their building and I thought it was a great experience seeing the insides of a company and how they work. I enjoyed hearing how the interior designers work throughout the project and not just at the end. That was one thing similar to what Paula Carr had to say about tvs design. While at Freelon Group, I really appreciated their advice on what they look for at interviews. Although some things mentioned were contradictory to what some of the professors have told us, I was still open to hearing their opinions.

Following our visit at the firm, we traveled to the Durham County South Regional Library, designed by Freelon Group. This visit was inspirational not only because we are looking at this library in our IAR 311 class, but also our IAR 302 Studio where we are redesigning the Jackson Library at UNCG. My favorite part of this library was the slatted wood ceiling that peaked out around the edges of the interior. I also loved the colorful furniture throughout the library which really brightened up the space and turned a library into a place that I would want to be in.

I think these visits with professionals help a lot to inform us students of what it is like in the professional world of design. When Paula visited us, I thought she had a lot of interesting information to share. What stood out most to me was the way her design process worked. She sketches a lot to get ideas across quickly so that inspired me to sketch more at the beginning stages. Then she puts her ideas into the digital world and models many of the different ideas until they eventually pin them up to talk about as a group.