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Alfred R. Goldstein Library,

Ringling College of Art and Design


Sarasota, Florida, USA


The Alfred R. Goldstein Library is state-of-the-art campus library that aims to transform how users engage with the library’s collections and services. This 46,000-square-foot library provides an airy space for creative collaboration and, unlike many libraries, discussion and interactivity. The floor-to-ceiling glass flanking and a glass-enclosed book room contribute to the library’s light filled, open layout. Additionally, the glass and curtain wall integrated into the design met specific code requirements for high wind and potential airborne debris. The end result is a stunning architectural statement for the community that makes the most of modern and natural amenities.


Products Used:
 1600 Wall System®1 Curtain Wall
1600 Wall System®2 Curtain Wall
IR 501 Framing System
350 IR Entrances




LEED Silver®


TRANSFORMING THE LIBRARY EXPERIENCE
Located roughly half a mile east from Sarasota Bay, the 46,000-square-foot Alfred R. Goldstein Library on the campus of the Ringling College of Art and Design is a state-of-the-art building that aims to transform how users engage with the library’s collections and services.

 

DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS
The striking, 24-hour library designed by architects at Shepley Bulfinchand and Sweet Sparkman provides students, faculty and staff with a light, airy space for creative collaboration and, unlike many libraries, discussion and interactivity. Boasting the Brizdle-Schoenberg Special Collections Center, quiet spaces, group study rooms, a café and Learning Commons computer labs, the new building has nearly four times the area of the building it replaced and houses 75,000 books, periodicals, films and video games.

 

Additionally, interior glazing systems include floor-to-ceiling glass flanking the central staircase and a glass-enclosed book room with a butt-glazed system and suspended glass shelving. The building is LEED®-certified through the U.S. Green Building Council’s green building program and has achieved the level of LEED Silver®.

 

CHALLENGES

  • Connect the building’s inside to the outside to help achieve design intent.
  • Provide ample interior light and excellent campus views.
  • Enable the exterior façade to have tall spans of glass with varied and interesting visual dimensions.
  • The library is located in a hurricane-prone area.
  • Varied building openings with unique anchoring conditions.

 

SOLUTIONS

  • By using tall spans of glass and Kawneer’s 350 IR Entrances, 1600 Wall System®1 and 1600 Wall System®2 Curtain Wall, the library connects visitors to exterior landscapes and terraces.
  • Viracon 1-5/16" insulated and laminated VNE-63 low-E clear glass allows abundant natural light to fill the building’s gathering spaces.
  • Extended face caps were used to give different dimensions to the Kawneer curtain wall system’s exterior aesthetic.
  • The glass and curtain wall met specific code requirements for high wind and potential airborne debris.
  • Vertical curtain wall mullions had to extend up to the undersides of the concrete decks on the upper floors. To accomplish this, glazing contractor, Key Glass worked closely with the building team to ensure proper fits and weatherproofing.

 

The end result is a stunning architectural statement for the community that provides users with an ultramodern facility that takes full advantage of the Florida sunshine.

 

ARCHITECTS: Shepley Bulfinch, Boston, Massachusetts and Sweet Sparkman, Sarasota, Florida

CONTRACTOR/INSTALLER: Key Glass, LLC, Bradenton, Florida

GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Willis Smith Construction, Sarasota, Florida

 

PHOTOGRAPHY: © Ryan Gamma Photography


Alfred R. Goldstein Library, Ringling College of Art and Design [725 KB]

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