SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS, MUSIC & DRAMATIC ARTS LIBRARY

This multi-level renovation reimagines a traditional academic library to meet the evolving needs of today’s campuses. Originally constructed in the early 1990s, the Music & Dramatic Arts Library once housed the University’s extensive music collections. Over time, as materials were digitized and student study habits shifted online, the library experienced a significant decline in use.

CWA was hired to transform the building into a vibrant resource center for students and faculty. The design team reconfigured the ground floor into a dynamic study lounge with flexible furnishings, semi-private breakout areas, and adaptable spaces to support mobile computing and collaboration. On the second floor, we introduced the Dean of Fine Arts’ offices, which required us to solve a complex challenge: fitting rectilinear offices within a circular floor plan. At the heart of the design is a striking, elliptical glass conference room, set within a soaring 27-foot-high space originally designed to accommodate a future interstitial floor.

By blending innovative planning with respect for the building’s original structure, this project demonstrates how underutilized academic spaces can be reinvented to foster connection, creativity, and modern learning.