Parks Library

Iowa State University was looking to provide a student-oriented space in Parks Library for comfortable studying, gathering, and interacting as well as space for collaborative work. Additionally, there was a desire to relocate the service desk and library administration space. The service desk was relocated to be on axis with the main entrance, requiring students to pass by the service desk upon entering the library and giving the staff direct sight lines to the entry, commons, and group study rooms. The material selection of the service desk construction reflected the materials of the original service desk. Relocating the service desk to face the main entrance provided the opportunity to open the south bay of the first floor against the curtain wall, bringing natural light into the commons space and providing a visual link to the quad. In this space, students could choose from a variety of study and seating options, including individual soft seating, booth seating, computer work stations, and collaborating group interaction spaces. In addition to the collaborating areas provided by furniture options, the design included seven, reservable, glass-fronted group study rooms. Each group study room was equipped with connectable AV equipment for group collaboration and various furniture arrangements.