Many people have criticized Kahn's decisions concerning the
placement of the library on the site and its relationship to its site.
All sides of the building are identical. This is in response to the fact
that the library "stands in the middle of a large yard and is observed
(and approached) from all four sides." (Roth p. 156) "No point of
entrance is distinct from a distance". Rather, the structure is entered
on the corners. (Roth p. 155)
Floor plan
Photo courtesy of the Great Buildings Collection
These corner entrances lead to an arcade which runs
around the perimeter of the building. This arcade leads to the main
entrance which faces the main street running throughout the campus (Roth
p. 154) Inside the entrance "an immense curved
staircase makes a grand entry hall." (Roth p. 156) The staircase leads
patrons into the innermost court of the library where they can easily see
the book stacks on all levels.
Section
"The library makes a creative statement without jarring the school's
ambiance, a felicitous blend of New England and ivied neo- colonial."
