Williams College Commons
-
-
Client: Williams College
Architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Architects
While the project was still in schematic development, Milder Office had the opportunity to work with Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Architects on the interior design of a new central library building at Williams College, a renowned liberal arts college in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
Working with students, faculty, library staff and administrators we created four test sites to prototype and publicly test concepts for new learning environments.
This was not only an opportunity for the planning team to anticipate what will become the new library later on, but to also to involve the larger community at the college in the discussions and decision making about the new building interior. Working off leads we picked up from the discussion with the architects and during visits to the campus.
We proposed, installed and iterated four options:
The Café: meeting spot and destination
The Lounge: Informal with large pillows, low tables, and moveable displays and white boards for delineating space, note taking and collaboration.
Alone + Together: Creating a smaller space on the open floor, this installation explored the dynamic between working individually or in groups, and developing dynamics when shifting between both states.
Islands: The fourth site explored a specific architectural detail along the facade of the building and looked for options of larger study ‘islands’.
Working with the Williams community over the course of two semesters, we collected data and feedback from all stakeholders through surveys, interviews, as well as public forums and presentations Some of the insights and learning were made part of the final design of the building that went into service several years later.
-
- Explore More …
