The Visualize Temple Plan continues with construction along Liacouras Walk. This demolition site that was once Barton Hall will soon be the location of Temple University’s new state of the art library. With workers set to lay the foundation, the campus will be able to see the building on the rise starting this May. The library is scheduled to be completed by Fall of 2018.
Norwegian architect firm, Snohetta, has contributed to the design of the library which has been in the works for approximately four years. The building was originally planned to be located on the west side of Broad Street, before the university decided to make it more of a central location o the campus.
University Architect Margaret Carney said, “We wanted to make sure that the building really was in a place where all of this traffic would see it and know the center of the campus and be able to get to it easily. So the site was really perfect in that sense.”
Features of the new library include:
- a robotic book retrieval system
- almost 1,000 additional seats
- group study rooms
- 3D printing
- immersive visualization labs
- 24/7 café
The Writing Center along with the Math and Science Resource Center will be relocating into the library as well. The new structure will be covered by a green roof that utilizes storm water management, and will reportedly be one of the largest green roofs in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
As for further construction on campus, the Visualize Temple Plan includes adding a new interdisciplinary research building following the demolition of Beury Hall and the Bio Life Center. Removing these building will create room for a large green space in front of the new library.
Paley Library will remain standing, and is set to be repurposed as a student academic center. Carney spoke highly of the library project and its future contribution to the university.
“If we don’t create a building that will inspire people to greatness, we will have failed.”
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