Boston University School of Medicine: Alumni Medical Library

Boston Univeristy School of Medicine 

PHOTOS © JANE MESSINGER

The Boston University (BU) School of Medicine’s Alumni Medical Library serves the university’s Schools of Medicine, Public Health, and the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and is located on floors 11-13 of the School of Medicine’s “L” instructional building. Finegold Alexander Architects reimagined the 13th floor—largely a stack level—as the new Learning Resource Center. The $3.5 million, fast-tracked project was completed while the building was occupied.

The existing spaces had not been substantially renovated since their late-1960s construction. Harsh fluorescent lighting, insufficient utilitarian study tables and carrels, and vast areas of book stacks occupied the 13,000-square-foot floor plate. The library’s users range from first-year medical students and Ph.D. students to residents and researchers, dentists, and oral surgeons. This diverse body reflects a variety of learning styles and curricula. Typically, students spend long stretches of time with dense material—this is focused, heads-down study. Working with the Dean’s Council, a quiet study floor with varied options was created.

The design for the 13th floor called for a complete gut/renovation to address a diverse set of needs while also opening the floor plan and improving circulation throughout the library. The program offers a variety of space types including acoustically isolated group study rooms, large carrels, sound-isolated booths, and comfortable pods and banquettes for lengthy study or naps. All the spaces are well integrated with technology, lighting, and comfortable furniture.

Display space for medical artifacts and rare books allows BU to showcase their history. The concrete walls surrounding the stair linking the main library floors were demolished and replaced with laminated glazing to enable the penetration of light through the space while providing acoustic isolation and visibility across the floor. Natural wood, soft flooring, abundant natural light, and touches of BU red create a calming yet vibrant space.

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management July/August 2019 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Case Study Highlights Texas District’s Campus Security Upgrades

    The Taft Independent School District near Corpus Christi, Texas, recently partnered with Intech Southwest Services to revamp its campus security technology system, according to a news release. Intech has released a case study on its website detailing the process that advanced the district’s technology by more than 20 years in less than three weeks.

  • Ancient Resilience: How Indigenous Intelligence Shapes the 4Roots Education Building

    As climate change intensifies, educational spaces must evolve beyond basic sustainability toward true resilience – we must design environments that can adapt, respond, and thrive amid shifting, and intensifying, climate hazards. Drawing on indigenous wisdom and nature-based strategies, integrating resilient design offers a path to create learning environments that are not only functional but deeply in tune with their natural surroundings.

  • Agualta STEAM Engine

    Outdoor Learning Spaces and Biophilic Design Create Community in East Los Angeles

    Griffith STEAM Magnet Middle School's Agualta STEAM Engine blends education, community, and nature through its adaptable design.

  • K–12 Safety Trends Report Reveals Reliance on Training, Technology

    Wearable safety technology provider CENTEGIX recently released its 2025 School Safety Trends Report, according to a news release. The report is based on more than 265,000 incidents during the 2024–25 school year as reported through the CENTEGIX Safety Platform, used by more than 800 school districts across the U.S.

Digital Edition