Maryland Institute College of Art Bunting Center

Educational, Historic, Award Winning, Historic

Relocated within an existing facility, the library at the Maryland Institute College of Art could have been invisible and under-used. Ziger|Snead tackled this challenge by establishing a strong presence for the library within the Bunting Center, a former office building renovated by the architects into educational uses. On the main and lower levels, a luminous sequence of spaces clearly defines the library within the four-story building. Curving walls of glass establish an open perimeter that directs students to the library’s entrance. Visible through this transparent boundary are rows of custom-designed metal shelves framing the interior. Stacks and reading areas on the lower level are also shaped to invite students to use the library’s extensive collection. Leading to these spaces is a staircase  framed by a steel canopy filled with polycarbonate panels which transmit light into the lower level from the floor above. The glowing, translucent walls and ceiling of this enclosure act as a beacon within the library’s open space.