The University of Chicago Law School Library Tower: Higher Ed: Portfolio: OWP/P

INTEGRATED SERVICES
Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design and Planning

project size
87,000 sf Renovation

Completion
Estimated Completion Fall 2007

In 2002 The University of Chicago Law School asked OWP/P to provide a plan for renovating key areas of its Saarinen-designed, late-1950s building. For the second phase of this plan, OWP/P developed a space program and planning study for reconfiguring and renovating space within the library tower. Six floors of the library tower were studied for potential reorganization and remodeling. Planning work included the development of conceptual space utilization options for a student services center, a faculty lounge, book stacks, reading rooms, faculty offices, librarian workstations, elevator lobbies, and toilet rooms.

OWP/P’s recommendations and preliminary design sketches from the study followed the underlying character of the building and met the functional and design needs of a contemporary law school. OWP/P is currently developing a design that responds to the construction budget requirements while remaining sensitive to the original Saarinen design and the Law School’s long-term goals for reduced energy use, ease of maintenance and flexibility of use.