PRITZKER MILITARY LIBRARY
ABOUT THE PROJECT
With a unique requirement for an assembly space with broadcast capabilities, the design team created a two-story 120 seat Lecture Hall in the historic Monroe Building with state of the art broadcast and recording capabilities. This unique library is designed to capture the essence of the special artifacts and materials in this one-of-a-kind collection. Located in an historic building, the design team had to introduce a solution incorporating state of the art technology in the historic fabric of the building while creating a space attracting many demographic types to this original athenaeum. The traditional design aesthetic is in keeping with the historic building, including coffered ceilings, intricately designed wood paneling, and extensive wood molding and millwork. Featuring flexible galleries for traveling and permanent exhibits, the facility also supports programs for special exhibitions by incorporating a 120-seat, two-story theater space which conducts live broadcasts, an oral history room to record past/present stories of visitors and a special collections room for rare and out-of-print books, administrative offices, catering spaces for receptions and rare book receiving and archival area.
THE DESIGN TEAM HAS CREATED THE PRITZKER MILITARY LIBRARY TO BE A UNIQUE SHOWCASE FOR ITS ONE-OF-A-KIND COLLECTION AND MISSION
DESIGN GOALS, STRATEGY & RESULTS
Envisioned as an institute for learning, study and reflection by a diverse demographic, the design team developed a refined palette including intricately designed wood paneling, extensive wood molding and millwork, and coffered ceilings. Integral to the diverse functions of the library is the sophisticated technology integrated in the design solutions accommodating complex technological and acoustical requirements for the audio/visual recording and broadcasting systems, advanced storage solutions for archival collections, intimate accommodations for the proper recording environment to capture the valuable stories within the oral history room, and a highly functional gallery space to accommodate rotating display, reception and special events.
