Conservatory Library Addition

Date

1988-present

Location

77 West College Street

Architects/Collaborators

Gunnar Birkerts (1925-) & Associates, Birmingham, MI (architect)
Donald Fry, Norwalk, OH (contractor)

Style

Postmodern

History

In 1988, the Conservatory Library opened a new addition designed by architect Gunnar Birkerts that stands to the south of Warner Concert Hall. This addition nearly tripled the Library's space, although only one of the addition's two floors was fully complete at the time. The architect complemented and updated the look of the 1964 Conservatory of Music designed by Minoru Yamasaki, using white tile for the exterior and eccentric windows of varying sizes to punctuate the monumental form. The pyramidal skylight brings dramatic lighting to the interior. Carved stone footings from the old Conservatory building, Warner Hall (1884-1964), were installed along a low retaining wall in front of the new library. The Conservatory Library was renovated and expanded in 2000; an elevator was installed to provide public access to the newly-completed West Wing's second floor.

Source

Oberlin College Archives, College General Records, Series 24. Buildings and Dedications.