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Temple University – Charles Library

New library, campus destination, showpiece

  • 220K

    Square Feet

  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Designing an innovative, technology-rich, and dynamic library environment at Temple University

As part of a $1.2 billion capital improvement program for its Main Campus in North Philadelphia, Temple University commissioned us, as part of a Stantec/Snohetta Joint Venture, to design its new library. Stantec’s responsibilities include architectural documentation, project management, and MEP/FP engineering services.

An innovative, technology-rich, dynamic environment, the new library will replace the existing 1960s facility, an old building that  no longer meets the needs of a modern and growing student population. With 220,000 square feet of space, it will accommodate the university's 2.5 million volume collection, numerous prestigious special collections, student study space, research space, and  staff areas. To encourage interaction among students and faculty, the bulding will house a 24-hour space, an expanded lobby, and a café. The stand-out feature, however, will be an automated storage retrieval system (ASRS) for storing the majority of the volumes in the collection.

Envisioned as Temple's most prominent structure on Polett Walk, the entrance to the new library will serve as a pedestrian gathering place with a transformational function and aesthetic. In addition to supporting its students, the building will strengthen the university's civic presence and communicate Temple's connection and commitment to the city and community. 

Meet Our Team

Chesenia Burgos, Interior Designer

As a designer, I encourage all staff to voice questions and opinions. It reinforces understanding, while strengthening the overall team.

Anton Germishuizen, Senior Vice President, Business Leader, Buildings

Design matters and with that comes a huge responsibility to drive innovative, creative, and relevant solutions.
Anton Germishuizen Senior Vice President, Business Leader, Buildings Read More

Paul Leonard, Principal

Successful engineering not only supports a client’s program goals but also lowers life cycle costs and fits within budget constraints.

Brian Lim, Associate, Plumbing & Fire Protection Designer

While education and experience make a great engineer, I believe humility, structure, communication, and teamwork make a great leader.
Brian Lim Associate, Plumbing & Fire Protection Designer Read More

Christopher Miller, Senior Associate

We match design to our clients. Every space needs to be representative of the client while supporting end users so they can do their best.

Kristin Shiffert, Associate

Diversity of ideas from multidisciplinary teams creates the best project outcomes.

Scott Sullivan, Principal

I’m the nuts and bolts guy. I enjoy getting into the detail of how things work and, maybe more importantly, how they can work better.

Chesenia Burgos

Interior Designer

Anton Germishuizen

Senior Vice President, Business Leader, Buildings

Paul Leonard

Principal

Brian Lim

Associate, Plumbing & Fire Protection Designer

Christopher Miller

Senior Associate

Kristin Shiffert

Associate

Scott Sullivan

Principal

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    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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Run Modes: s7connect,crx3,nosamplecontent,publish,crx3tar
Build Version: 2.5.0.8
Build Date: 2022-44-28 08:44:26