Gehry Library Is Approved by Planning Board; University, DOT to Discuss Pedestrian Safety

Matthew Hersh

The Princeton Regional Planning Board unanimously approved the final site plan application for a $60 million, 85,000 square-foot library for Princeton University to be built on a five-acre plot near Washington Road and Ivy Lane. Construction for the project is slated to begin October 2004 and be completed in early 2007.

"My first response to seeing the [future library site] was: 'Why would they want to put a building in that park?'" said Mr. Gehry, who was in attendance at the meeting. Mr. Gehry went on to say that in accommodating an influx in undergraduate population, he designed the structure to preserve as much open space as possible.

Typically, Mr. Gehry emphasizes that his work expresses himself as well as his "response to a plan and a place."

The plan Mr. Gehry referred to in this case is the consolidation of the book collections of the University's chemistry department and other science libraries. This consolidation will, in turn, support the incremental increase of undergraduate students beginning in the fall of 2006.

Mr. Gehry, who said that he had been turned down five times by the University for past projects, quipped that he had now been chosen because he was, at the age of 74, "mature enough." "I'm very excited to be here," Mr. Gehry said.

Mr. Gehry, the 1989 winner of the Pritzker Prize, is known for his non-traditional use of steel and glass. The approved library plan features sharply sloping roofs of steel but maintains practicality and functionality.

Gothic vs. Gehry

One Princeton University architecture student in attendance at the Planning Board meeting called the University's combined use of traditional collegiate Gothic style and modern architecture "schizophrenic." Nevertheless, the University now has structures in the works that fall on opposite ends of the architectural spectrum. Both buildings, however, turn out to complement each other.

The proposed Whitman College, which is to be built on the site of the former "Pagoda" tennis courts on the main campus, will provide housing for 500-undergraduate students. The residence hall will be built in the collegiate Gothic style that graces much of the main campus.

The new science library, however, according to Mr. Gehry, will feature metal roofing that slopes to form vertical walls, create sculptural forms, and "changes mood from hour to hour" depending on the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surfaces.

The level of sun reflecting off the metal caused some problems for both the Planning Board and the Site Plan Review Advisory Board. Mr. Gehry said that a structure with glass surfaces poses more potential for blinding sun glare than the dull grade steel that will be used on the library.

The library will also exhibit a tradition of pairing up Mr. Gehry's work with the work of sculptor Richard Serra. The two are long-time friends and have maintained an on-going professional dialogue.

"I always drag [Mr. Serra] in after my buildings are done and have him do a piece," Mr. Gehry said. He quipped that Mr. Serra "always gets mad" because of the late addition.

Parking and Circulation

Jon Hlafter, the University's director of physical planning said that while the library's completion may cause some pedestrian attraction, he does not foresee bottlenecks in automobile traffic plaguing Washington Road.

The University's plan for significant signage for visitor parking and the P-Rides shuttle system are two major elements that will help alleviate traffic, Mr. Hlafter said.

Parking will be unavailable at the library site, he added.

While the library will pose no increase in staff, Mr. Hlafter said that employees could potentially park in Lot 21, near Jadwin Gym, or in the parking garage by Baker Rink and take a shuttle to the library.

Further, Mr. Hlafter cited a recent incident involving a pedestrian and an automobile which promoted discussion between the University and the Department of Transportation to elevate crossing safety. He said the University is planning to install a pedestrian-activated crosswalk with embedded lights at the crossing, known as "Goheen Walk."

A University architecture student who was in attendance with his class complimented the Planning Board for its consideration of traffic and pedestrian patterns. The student, apparently unaware that traffic was one of the main obstacles to overcome in this project, received wide-eyed stares and tentative nods from Board members.