Great Neck South High School, Gil Blum Library Media Center

Lake Success, New York

Firm

BBS Architects, Landscape Architects & Engineers, PC

Client

Great Neck Union Free School District

Area

6,700 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$1,450,000

Completion Date

08/2019

David Lamb Photography

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Set within the wooded hills of the former estate of Henry Phipps, Jr., one-time associate of Andrew Carnegie, the Great Neck South High School Library was constructed in 1957. The space underwent a major transformation during summer 2019 to become a Next Millennium Library, connecting students to learning with guidance from teachers and staff.

A yearlong planning process included meetings with students, educators, librarians, administrators and the design team. Together, they embarked on a journey to create an interdisciplinary space with flexible adjacencies in tune with the school’s exemplary educational program delivery.

The space features 6,700 square feet of differentiated zones for individual focus as well as settings for small and large group instruction. There are ample opportunities for social interaction, as well as the ability to distance as needed. Designed around transparency and connectivity, the Great Neck South High School Library is an inviting learning commons space and vibrant campus hub that connects students and educators with the world of new media and technology, both as a physical space and as virtual space.