Temple University Charles Library

Philadelphia, PA | Snohetta | Stantec

The main lobby, with its curved 40ft high Cedar wood ceiling, is the heart of this university’s library with a connection to all floors of the building vertically through the oculus and being visible from the far end of the building from the 4th floor. The goal was to honor the architectural design intent by promoting interaction and unification; consistently lighting each of the material elements, lighting vertical surfaces and ceilings and bringing warmth to the space in a sympathetic and efficient way. Keeping the curving wood ceiling clear of down lights, track mounted LED fixtures at the top of the columns are used for general down lighting where adjustable LED down lights integrated into the top of the curtain walls provide task lighting to the desks below. The 24/7 space requires a safe and inviting experience for studying late in the evening when the rest of the building closes. The 3 intersecting direct/indirect circular LED pendants and adjustable downlights integrated into the top of the curtain wall provide ambient and task lighting for the students. Linear LED lights mounted to the top of the stacks provide ample lighting for the Open Stack collections on the 4th floor with additional linear LED pendants to up light the wood ceiling.

Full Project Stats

press

"Snøhetta's swooping Charles Library opens at Temple University"

The Architects Newspaper

"New Temple library becomes the instant heart and soul of the campus"

The Philadelphia Inquirer

"Snøhetta’s New Library for Temple University Is a Soaring Ode to Knowledge"

Architectural Digest

"A Look Inside Temple’s New $175 Million Charles Library"

Philadelphia Magazine