Located on the third floor of the Morris Library, the old graduate study area was architectural claustrophobia at its finest – minimal natural light, high partitions, narrow corridors.

When we approached the reconfiguration of the space, a concept evolved of two glass-box volumes, arranged in an open floor plan, with a series of benching tables and carrel study benching available in main area, and eight private study rooms available in the two glass-box volumes.

By minimizing solid partitions and maximizing glazed partitions, we were able to draw the natural light deep into the space from the perimeter of the building. With the glass partitions, we were able to separating the different functional demands of the graduate students, while maintaining a visual connection throughout the space.