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#14 Let There Be Light

Last time we took a quick look at some of the changes that accompanied the refurbishment of the Berkeley’s lower floors in 2002.  Here we continue with more of the dramatic changes in the foyer.

The main criticism of Koralek’s designs by the librarians who worked in the Berkeley (beside a certain chilliness!) was that it was inflexible. Koralek’s love of concrete is evident in that he designed desks and counters out of the stuff. Those weren’t going anywhere soon; his vision would remain pure for decades… until other architects had other ideas.

As soon as you entered the foyer, the Admissions Counter (as we now term it) was there to the left, constructed of poured concrete. As part of the refurb, this was demolished – no easy task, it turned out, seeing as it was steel-reinforced. It was huge too – we don’t have a licence for the photo, but you can see how big it is in this RIBA image. These concrete counters can still be seen on the first and second floors.

The concrete counters were supported on surprisingly slim foundations, and gave the appearance of floating slightly. The gaps that ran around most of the counter would allow you to see the librarians’ shoes if you knew where to look.

The Admission Counter was moved in ’02 into the former Librarian’s Office – we’ll write about that space in the next post or two. Our Library guards would occupy the spot of their own until another slight refurbishment in 2015, when the Admissions Counter was moved *back* to the same spot (although with a far smaller footprint).

The Library had some wonderful ceiling lights, although I’m told it was (deliberately) somewhat dark in the foyer, echoing the darkness one gets entering College by Front Gate – and later, in the entrance designed by ABK into the Arts Building from Nassau Street.

These lights were removed as part of the ’02 refurb and replaced with modern spots. The view below is of the area above the Admissions Desk, which unlike the rest of the foyer was (and still is) bathed in light, coming all the way from the top of the building via light wells.

Image: Architectural Press Archive/RIBA Collections.

You can see that light streaming down in the image below, which shows the Admissions Counter now. Unlike before, you don’t get to see anyone’s footwear.

Image: Gill Whelan.

 

Main image: Gill Whelan.