The high profile 1,400 s.f. President’s Reading Room was completely retrofit in the existing 1st floor reference section of the Library. Designed to support the mission of “Discover, Create, Change”, the room enables the following: reading and relaxing in privacy and quiet, individual study, group study, browsing, and viewing exhibitions. Movable shelving and A/V projection systems enable book signing and reception events for up to 30 or more people at a time. A bold 3-dimensional accent ceiling, suspended indirect lighting and wood paneling enliven the space for public events. Murals and text graphics have been incorporated on walls and shelving end caps. Glazed storefront in combination with see-through display cases created a layered transparency.
The Entry Lobby upgrade is more inviting, with a large new information desk projecting from the granite walls. A super-scale color mural replaces dated accent paneling over the main entry. Warm accent lighting was incorporated into the design, both in the new circular floating chandelier and in the glowing box embedded in the counter. Integrally-lit display cases were set into the alcoves of the Lobby for the display of the Library’s extensive archival prints.
Client: Prairie View A&M University
Size: 2,000 s.f.
Completion Date: 2014
