Metadata
Title
Athenaeum of Philadelphia: Jewel of the City
Creator
Nagy, Jaclyn
Location
Davidsonville, MD, USA
Call Number
005-LF-S021
Date
2014
School
The Catholic University of America
Category
Student
Project Assumption
The Athenaeum has a wealth of drawings and documents, both online and physical, in their collection. Already in the past few years, their digital collection has grown exponentially. In the future, the physical collection must be protected, and embraced. It will become a treasure. Life in 2050 is fast paced. All information is available at the touch of a button. Members will visit the Athenaeum for more than just its resources; they will visit just to slow down and experience a traditional library in which one can decelerate, relax, research, and read.
Project Statement
The goal is to create a library space that will encompass the Athenaeum’s physical history as well as embrace new technologies and look to the future. This reading room will be the literal and spatial focal point of the new Athenaeum. Visitors will be able to see it and understand its centrality, but only be able to reach it after they have fully slowed down and followed the complete, winding path.
In order to understand the leisurely nature of the historic Athenaeum, they must advance past increasingly private spaces associated with the reading room along the way. These spaces- scattered like the way that knowledge is disseminated gradually- draw their attention and delay their ascent to the jewel at the end of the path.
In order to understand the leisurely nature of the historic Athenaeum, they must advance past increasingly private spaces associated with the reading room along the way. These spaces- scattered like the way that knowledge is disseminated gradually- draw their attention and delay their ascent to the jewel at the end of the path.
Registration Number
46150662