Architectural Details
Beyond Kelvin Smith Library's beauty and great interior spaces, its architectural and structural details are of interest to those who experience the KSL spaces. Building features include:
- post-tensioned steel cable construction, cables suspended in poured concrete & stretched for strength; all concrete was poured on-site
- KSL rests on caissons for stabilization on the area's water table
- Indiana limestone facade, quarried from the same site as neighboring buildings as Severance Hall and museums
- granite base, impervious to snow and freezing conditions
- solid large front columns (not hollow) are decorative, not structural
- Vermont slate on main floor and lower portion of the central staircase
- 30 miles of compact movable shelving; three times the space would have been needed for fixed shelves
- zoned, dual-digital HVAC system offers a versatile environment for books
- 2000+ programmed lights, a variety of high efficiency fluorescent & halogen lights in large fixtures, folded tube lights, decorative lighting in study rooms and arc spaces; reset in 2006 to motion and light sensors, to further increase efficiencies
- thermopane glass designed for low emissions, UV protection
- Solarfective recessed shades with 4% open area for continued visibility, otpimal protection from heat & glare; on all library windows
- wiring installed at 5X anticipated capacity for future, under the raised flooring in open areas for flexibility; a wireless network is now installed
- front ellipse and nearby walkways are maize-colored concrete with varied textures of pavers for visual interest and ADA compliance for surfaces
- 2-level underground garage; the library is situated on top of this hydrostatic, counter-weighted concrete slab