Library Classroom Addition

The Library Classroom Building Addition is University of South Carolina Upstate’s first major capital endeavor in 15 years. To meet a crucial demand for the institution’s 80% commuter student body, the project establishes an academic space for students to study, dine and interact during their free time on campus.

The design’s “outside in” concept seamlessly blends exterior and interior environments. The addition features ample glazing that enables natural light to pour into the building. Through this biophilic strategy, constant visual contact with the campus scenery is achieved; over 77% of frequently used areas offer clear outdoor views. The innovative second-floor glass skybridge represents a signature design that connects the existing library to the addition without disrupting the major pedestrian thoroughfare below.

Natural materials celebrate the local landscape through wood and moss-inspired elements, and floors evoke water through blue, wave-like patterns. Select interior wood finishes and feature elements were fabricated from trees harvested on site to make way for the building pad—transforming necessary clearing into a lasting, tactile connection to place.

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