Renowned Architect of Berkeley Library Paul Koralek returns to Trinity
Posted on: 16 October 2017
Marking the 50th anniversary of the Berkeley Library, the renowned architect, Paul Koralek who originally designed the iconic modernist building gave a public interview in Trinity College. The 1960s building was considered a beacon of modernism for Trinity, Dublin and Ireland. More importantly it hailed a new era for students and researchers, opening up the Library collections to a much wider readership.
The event which formed part of Trinity’s Berkeley 50 celebrations was also part of the Open House programme. More than 400 people came to hear the great architect talk.
The architect, Paul Koralek was just 28 when he won the international competition in 1961 for a new library building. The highest standards of design were commanded by an international competition and the award was publicly announced by the then Lord Mayor of the winning architect, the young New- York based architect Paul Koralek. Dublin of the 1960s featured buildings such as Busáras, Liberty Hall and Hawkins House and the new Berkeley Library was to join this cityscape. Considered one of the finest modern buildings in Ireland, the Berkeley Library is a pure example of the “Brutalist” style of bare concrete architecture popularised by le Corbusier. Koralek’s innovative use of concrete, poured into wooden moulds gives it the impression of wood grain on the surface of the concrete slabs. Contractors G and T Crampton built it, with Koralek overseeing the meticulous mixing of concrete on site. When complete, it doubled the reading space as well as storage for books for the College, which also involved the employment of 57 new members of staff. Moreover it provided a unique reading experience where the reader was prioritised. It was officially opened in 1967 by the President Éamon De Valera.
Commenting on its importance, College Librarian and Archivist, Helen Shenton said: “The Berkeley Library when built transformed library services for our students and readers. It was a modern library not just for Trinity, but for Ireland. Paul Koralek’s architectural vision for this modernist building played a critical role in making this possible. Generations of students and Irish people have benefited from its vast collections. Today, in an age of digitisation, the role of the library is constantly evolving, and it is where we now also foster innovation and creativity, catalyse research and collaborations.”
Coinciding with the event, an architectural exhibition From Box to Anti-Box: the Berkeley Library at 50’, opened last week in the Irish Architectural Archive’s Architecture Gallery. Curated by Donal Hickey, it is a collaboration between the Archive and the Library of Trinity College Dublin, as part of the ‘Berkeley50’ year of celebrations.
The exhibition includes copies of the competition-winning scheme, of the ‘Developed Scheme’, December 1961, and of the final scheme which emerged between 1962 and 1963, as well as original drawings and sketches reflecting the architect’s thinking at various points in the development of the design. Also featured is a set of 284 construction photographs recording the building process from January 1964 to October 1966, while a centrepiece of the exhibition is a model of the building newly-commissioned thanks to the generous support of a Trinity alumnus.