Academic_INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE

New York, NY, USA

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Academic_Information Architecture
Masters Thesis (Spring, 2010)
Our society is going through a massive change caused bythe rapidly increasing use of digital tools and communication systems.Because these tools have changed the way we live architects arere-evaluating how they work and what they design. Since digital toolsand communication systems have revolutionized the way we accessinformation, a building typology that must change accordingly is thelibrary.
TYPOLOGY DIAGRAMS
Current libraries are spatially organized by subjectbecause of the physical nature of books. This thesis proposes anorganization based on format (audio, text, video, image) because of thespecific physical and digital technologies used for the creation andconsumption of these formats.

The physical manifestation of this organization is inspired bythe non-hierarchichal nature of contemporary information access as wellas the democratization and community ownership of recorded knowledge.It is based on continuous, non-processional study space connectingcollaborative format spaces.
NETWORK SPACE RENDERING
The network space creates an inspiring environment forworking with computer stations embedded along the non-hierarchicalcirculation.
NIGHT RENDERING
EXTERIOR RENDERING
The building also takes advantage of views across theHudson to New Jersey. This reminds users of the broader world they areliving in which is important in a creative and educational space.
FORMAT SPACE RENDERINGS
Each collaborative format space contains technologies specific to the creation of that format.
EXTERIOR RENDERING
The building forms connections between the exterior and interior space as well as between the Columbia Masterplan and the surrounding neighborhood through voids in the building that provide circulation, social spaces, and opportunities to share and consume information.
PHYSICAL MODEL
The physical model was 3D printed using selective laser sintering with laser cut acetate to represent glass.
PHYSICAL MODEL
PHYSICAL MODEL
PHYSICAL MODEL
FUNCTIONS: NEW VS TRADITIONAL
Research was conducted to understand the required functions of a contemporary information center as opposed to a traditional library.
FUNCTIONS
These functions were then investigated through the lens of their varying existence in the physical realm versus the digital realm as well as their probable order of use and importance.
LOCATION: MANHATTANVILLE
Northern Manhattan is underserved by the public library system. Almost all the central and research libraries are in Midtown Manhattan, and neighborhood branches are more scattered outside of Midtown. This map displays the locations and relative square footages of Public Libraries in Manhattan. The orange area is Manhattanville, where the thesis project is located.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT
As of 2000, Morningside Heights had a significantly higher median household income and high school graduation rate, as well as a significantly lower percentage of persons living below the poverty line than Manhattanville. Columbia University has plans to expand into the Manhattanville area, and a new library would be an excellent addition to this plan.
AXONOMETRIC FLOOR PLAN