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New library, campus destination, showpiece

At a Glance

  • 220K

    Square Feet

  • LEED

    Gold Certified

Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Offices
Architect
Stantec/Snohetta Joint Venture

Temple University – Charles Library

As part of a $1.2 billion capital improvement program for its Main Campus in North Philadelphia, Temple University commissioned us, as part of a Stantec/Snohetta Joint Venture, to design its new library. Stantec’s responsibilities include architectural documentation, project management, and MEP/FP engineering services.

An innovative, technology-rich, dynamic environment, the new library will replace the existing 1960s facility, an old building that  no longer meets the needs of a modern and growing student population. With 220,000 square feet of space, it will accommodate the university's 2.5 million volume collection, numerous prestigious special collections, student study space, research space, and  staff areas. To encourage interaction among students and faculty, the bulding will house a 24-hour space, an expanded lobby, and a café. The stand-out feature, however, will be an automated storage retrieval system (ASRS) for storing the majority of the volumes in the collection.

Envisioned as Temple's most prominent structure on Polett Walk, the entrance to the new library will serve as a pedestrian gathering place with a transformational function and aesthetic. In addition to supporting its students, the building will strengthen the university's civic presence and communicate Temple's connection and commitment to the city and community. 

At a Glance

  • 220K

    Square Feet

  • LEED

    Gold Certified

Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Offices
Architect
Stantec/Snohetta Joint Venture

Meet Our Team

Chesenia Burgos, Associate, Interior Design

As a designer, I encourage all staff to voice questions and opinions. It reinforces understanding, while strengthening the overall team.

Paul Leonard, Principal, Buildings Engineering

Successful engineering not only supports a client’s program goals but also lowers life cycle costs and fits within budget constraints.

Brian Lim, Associate, Plumbing & Fire Protection Designer

While education and experience make a great engineer, I believe humility, structure, communication, and teamwork make a great leader.

Christopher Miller, Principal

We match design to our clients. Every space needs to be representative of the client while supporting end users so they can do their best.

Kristin Shiffert, Associate, Carbon Impact Team

Diversity of ideas from multidisciplinary teams creates the best project outcomes.

Chesenia Burgos

Associate, Interior Design

Paul Leonard

Principal, Buildings Engineering

Brian Lim

Associate, Plumbing & Fire Protection Designer

Christopher Miller

Principal

Kristin Shiffert

Associate, Carbon Impact Team

We’re better together

  • Become a client

    Partner with us today to change how tomorrow looks. You’re exactly what’s needed to help us make it happen in your community.

  • Design your career

    Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.

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