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A library that flexes to the needs of the students

Location
Allendale, Michigan
Offices

GVSU - Mary Idema Pew Library

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) envisioned a library that was inspired by the needs of today’s students and the evolving skills they would require for the rest of their lives. Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons—a true shift in library creation—is designed to connect the library more closely to student learning and success. So how do we design a library that meets the need for browsable materials with a desirable study and collaboration space?

Location
Allendale, Michigan
Offices

Services

Markets

Picture students researching

Wherever they are in the library—or all over the campus—when they need to grab a book, they can look it up in the online catalogue and request it from the library’s Automated Storage and Retrieval System.

The face of the learning commons

The building is sheathed in natural stonework, echoing a deep appreciation for Grand Valley’s architectural context. The stone rebuilds the lost characteristics of the location: a once heavily wooded site cascading through deep ravines to the banks of the Grand River. With a 40-foot glass curtain wall, the library looks out onto the campus—and the campus looks back inside. During the day, the building is filled with natural light through the massive windows and a number of punched windows on other exterior walls. At night, the building becomes a beacon, a transparent hive of activity that draws users inside.
A true shift in library creation
1500
Seats
600K
Book capacity
75%
Spaces lit by daylight
Every student can find the right spot for themselves with over 31 different types of indoor or outdoor seating
Automated storage and retrieval system can deliver a resource in under a minute
One of the many strategies that turned the building to its site and helped the library achieve LEED Platinum
We designed different zones for different uses: monk-like spaces for no distractions and high-energy zones for groups. The noise starts at the ground level and gradually drops in volume as you ascend.

Supporting learning when class is over?

The Mary Idema Pew Library is the answer. The building’s student and user-focused design provides an assortment of learning, collaboration, and social interaction spaces to respond to the needs of today’s student.

Meet Our Team

Joe Lapinski, Senior Associate

None of my inventions ever came about by accident, they came about by work – Thomas Edison

Patrick Calhoun, Principal, Business Center Operations Leader, Senior Planner

In educational building design, you like hearing how your design positively impacts students. When you extrapolate out to future generations, that experience is both joyful and humbling.
Patrick Calhoun Principal, Business Center Operations Leader, Senior Planner Read More

Casimir Zalewski, Senior Principal, Buildings

It is my goal to tailor a system that is reliable, maintainable, and efficient that folds into the architecture of the project.

Steve Jelinek, Senior Associate, Senior Designer

I believe in enhancing the human experience—I just happen to practice architecture.

Joe Lapinski

Senior Associate

Patrick Calhoun

Principal, Business Center Operations Leader, Senior...

Casimir Zalewski

Senior Principal, Buildings

Steve Jelinek

Senior Associate, Senior Designer

We’re better together

  • Become a client

    Partner with us today to change how tomorrow looks. You’re exactly what’s needed to help us make it happen in your community.

  • Design your career

    Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.

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