New York University College of Dentistry, Waldmann Dental Library

New York, New York

Firm

Kevin Hom + Andrew Goldman Architects

Client

New York University

Area

9,600 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$2,000,000

Completion Date

09/2003

The new library for NYU’s College of Dentistry incorporates advanced technology in a dynamic design with exposed ceilings and custom furniture, and a crisp, minimalist appearance. The program spaces include administrative offices, a circulation desk, study rooms, a computer instruction lab, reading rooms and bookshelf space for 30,000 volumes.
The dental school serves a student body of 1,400; clinics serve about 225,000 patients each year.
The library provides a unique work environment that allows students to work individually or in groups. The design allows for extensive information storage for printed matter and digital media, and maximizes the number of seats available. Each seat has power and data ports for laptop computer access to a networked database system and the Internet.
There are two reading rooms. The first is a larger area associated with the stacks, and contains reading tables of various sizes and study carrels. The second is a separate, enclosed room with reading tables and six group-study rooms along the space’s perimeter. The space is designed for 24-hour operation and is controlled by card access. The stacks and circulation desk can be secured by rolling security screens during late evening hours.

“Excellent project. Subtle color use in an existing space. Wonderful sense of design.”–2004 jury