Known as “the library that never sleeps,” Gleason Library is the only 24/7 facility on the University of Rochester’s River Campus and an important hub for studying, collaboration, academic support and social connection.
Client
University of Rochester
Location
Rochester, New York
Total Project Cost
$1.2 M
Project Type
Academic
Photographer
Onion Studio
Completed
2021
Size
7,500 sq. ft.
Services
Architecture, Electrical Engineering, Interior Design, Mechanical Engineering, Plumbing Engineering
Key Contact
Michael Mistriner
After more than a decade of continuous use, the popular campus destination was showing signs of wear, while evolving technology, changing student needs and a growing campus population created new demands on the space.
CPL partnered with the University to develop a comprehensive renewal plan grounded in an understanding of how students were using the library and what they needed from it. Through utilization research, student and stakeholder engagement, collaborative visioning sessions and interactive design exercises, the team identified opportunities to improve functionality, flexibility and the overall student experience while preserving the open, adaptable qualities that had made Gleason successful.
The resulting design reimagines the library as a flexible learning environment that supports a broad spectrum of activities and individual preferences. Expanded group and individual study areas, dedicated quiet zones, collaborative gathering spaces and video-call pods give students greater choice in how and where they work.
Modular furnishings allow spaces to be easily reconfigured as needs change, while integrated technology and academic support resources further enhance the library’s role as a contemporary learning destination.
Brighter finishes, updated furnishings and a more open, modern aesthetic give the heavily used facility a renewed sense of energy while supporting intuitive movement and connection throughout the space. The revitalized Gleason Library builds on the qualities students already valued while creating a more inclusive, adaptable and engaging 24-hour environment for learning, discovery and collaboration.
