Eckerd College
Saint Petersburg, FL
“The library, as the house of books, is logically the heart
of any institution devoted -- as Eckerd College is -- to the education
of the moral imagination.”
Donald R. Eastman III, President, Eckerd College
Ayers/Saint/Gross was asked to design a 54,000 gsf library for the College,
in conjunction with a new campus master plan. The Eckerd community and
the design team worked together to create a building that will meet the
goals and objectives of the College, including:
- A building
with an appearance internally and externally that conveys an impression of high
quality, openness, creativity and innovation
- A library that lures in students and faculty members and entices
them to stay
- A building that enriches the learning experience of students and
enhances the productivity of faculty members as teachers and scholars
- The ability to expand in the future
- A building that meets the budget (The project was completed on budget
for both buildings and for the furniture package.)
- A building that meets the schedule (The project opened on time.)
- A building that meets the program:
- 50,000 gross square feet (54,000 gsf provided)
- Capacity for 188,000 volumes (190,000 provided)
- Capacity for 393 seats (400 provided)
- 19 group study rooms (17 provided)
- 30 offices (31 provided)
The first challenge in the design was the selection of the site.
The final site was selected for its water views to the north (ideal
for a reference/reading room), proximity to the academic core and
residential areas of the campus, absence of protected vegetation,
and adjacency to a primary pedestrian path. As the campus plan is
implemented, this site will take on greater significance as a major
pedestrian crossroads is established.
The second challenge was to develop a building plan that would function
well internally and externally. Given the views of the lagoon, the reference
collection and reading room are on the north. Group study rooms are placed
on the south to take advantage of natural light. Stacks are internalized to
avoid natural light. Support functions --library and information technology
offices--are on the east side of the building. A tower marks the entrance
and houses a large conference/study room. A two-story screened porch, or lanai,
offers a secure, shaded outdoor venue for reading and studying. The Friends
of the Library/Rare Books room is on the northwest corner of the second floor
to take advantage of the views.
Completion: 2004
Size: 54,000 GSF
Cost: $10,280,000
