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Architecture class helps out at Schlow
By Gwenn Miller
Reprinted with permission from the
Centre Daily Times.
The article appeared in the April 23, 2004 issue.
State College, Pa. - Opening the door to the temporary Schlow Memorial Library is a bit like opening the door to the past -- and the future.
In a time of transition for the library, an architecture class at Penn State
found a way to preserve some of the features in the old building while finding
ways to make the temporary space a bit more homey.
The library's materials were moved in February from the original site on Beaver
Avenue and SouthAllen Street to the old municipal office building on Fraser Street. The new
library is being built on theoriginal Schlow site and is expected to open in July 2005.
Warren Wake, associate professor of integrated arts and architecture, said he
contacted library director Betsy Allen about his students working with Schlow.
Wake said he wants his students to work with actual clients whenever possible
and to help the campus or community with their work.
"It was an outstanding opportunity, I felt, partly because of the timing," Wake
said. "It provided a
chance for students to visit the temporary library and understand that
architectural needs are usually in transition."
When students visited the transitional library, they immediately identified
areas of improvement. One
group noticed the computers were arranged in a rather hodge-podge setting.
Another noticed that no one was using the adult reading area.
From that visit and subsequent collaborations, students found architectural
solutions. One team
constructed desks for the computers and a bulletin board. Another constructed
screens to close in the reading area and make it more inviting.
In order to make use of the conference room, a group constructed a lectern to be
used for conferences and meetings. But once the lectern is swiveled around, it
can be used as a chair for an informal story time. Children were a major focus
of the students' projects, and the puppet area was one place that caught their
eye.
"(A librarian) told a child to be careful because it wasn't sturdy," freshman
Amanda Fisher said.
Fisher's team set about building a puppet stage and storage area made of old
bookshelves with safety being a top priority.
Faye Steinhauser and Kitty Xia's design was also child-friendly. The two crafted
a cabinet that encases a backdrop for storytelling that is also portable.
In the process of bridging the gap from the old library to the new, students
also learned a lesson in
thrift shopping. The class wanted to incorporate the original materials into
their creations. But because they are partially responsible for the cost of
materials, they collected smaller items, like nails and screws.
Allen accompanied the class on what became a salvage mission, but to Allen it
seemed more like
seek-and-destroy at first.
"It really almost broke my heart," Allen said. "I've been working at that
library for 30 years; so it's been my home."
But after a while, Allen joined the class in ripping things off the walls. Now,
Allen said she is thrilled that the screen is being built with old shelves.
Steinhauser agreed that it was sentimental walking through the library with
Allen. But, she said, it was great to have a real client and one that was so
interested in the students' work.
"I learned more from this project than any of the others," said Erica Drogan,
who helped build the
folding screens. "We're not building for ourselves anymore."
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