Washington University in St. Louis
John M. Olin Library

Olin Library, constructed in 1962, is a campus crossroads where the University community connects daily through study, research, collaboration, and chance encounter. Our Master Plan for the 183,000 square-foot Library considered all spaces as well as new collaborative settings in the building needed by other academic departments throughout the campus. It set the scope for a subsequent building renovation and expansion project.

Two new climate-controlled floors are excavated below the building, one floor for the storage of special collections previously stored off-campus and the other floor for a new global research center. Building circulation is reorganized around a central main street, bordered by a 75’ long exhibit case for showcasing highlights of the Library’s collections. A new glass structure inserted within an existing atrium links four floors with new exhibition, café, and study spaces. The building remained open throughout construction, and expansion was accomplished with no increase to the Library building’s footprint.