Page 41 - College Planning & Management, September 2017

Facility Focus LIBRARIES AND MEDIA CENTERS
UC Berkeley
Moffitt Library Renovation
MOFFITT LIBRARY at the University of California, Berkeley, designed by architect John Carl Warnecke in the 1960s, was a cutting-edge library for graduate stud-
ies when it opened. But over the years it had fallen far short of provid- ing today’s students with the type of library and research space they need to support academic interests. In addition, a renovation that took place in the 1990s to bring the building up to code seismically resulted in a library that was dark and visually enclosed, with no ac- cess to the balconies that once offered a connection to the outdoors.
In harmony with the chancellor’s emphasis on enhancing
the undergraduate experience and cultivating engagement with the surrounding community, Gensler transformed two floors of Moffitt Library into a distinctive, tech-friendly 24-hour center
for learning. One floor is for collaborative, participatory studying comprised of informal open seating areas, small huddle rooms and larger meeting rooms for teamwork, and the other is a quiet floor
for concentration and focus, with study tables, individual pods and carrels. The space now allows for flexibility of the curriculum and personal reconfigurability. Meeting the needs of the 21st century, it is equipped with technology and access to data and power.
The new curtain wall created usable area to fortify the student ex- perience — transforming the inaccessible maintenance balcony into usable program space. Each floor offers in-between spaces. The nooks and crannies near the curtain wall make students feel a connection to the outside and address the need for transparency. The project also addresses critical infrastructure and life-safety needs, and creates a foundation for further renovations of the remaining floors.
The project brought a unique challenge as the team imple- mented new UCOP Policy to install gender-inclusive restrooms in addition to offering the traditional restroom experiences. Wellness is supported at Moffitt via the implementation of food-friendly policies and a meditation/nap room. CPM
PHOTOS © JASPER SANIDAD
SEPTEMBER 2017 / COLLEGE PLANNING & MANAGEMENT 41