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Tempe, Arizona, USA

Landscape Architects: TRUEFORM
Architects: Ayers Saint Gross Architects
Landscape Contractors: Brightview
Client: Arizona State University
Photographers: Caitlin Atkinson and Bill Timmerman

Reinvention Learning is an endeavor, an action, a process that exceeds the sum of its source material. The Hayden Library Reinvention transforms a place for books into a place for people. By prioritizing human experience over the function of storage, this reinvention better reflects the diversity, history, tradition, environmental stewardship, and academic scholarship while seamlessly integrating new possibilities of the university. By creating welcoming, equitable, and comfortable outdoor environments that reinforce both physical and visual connections to the heart of the campus, the library and its immediate surroundings are repositioned to better support students, visitors, and staff. 

Campus Connectivity A primary driver for the library redesign was to enhance campus connectivity by engaging the newly activated ground floor entries, a striking departure from the often confusing and difficult to locate underground entrance that had been used exclusively since the construction of a subterranean expansion in 1989. Plaza The original library was surrounded by a subterranean "moat" with pedestrian access points bridging across. With the university needing additional interior academic space, a significant portion of the moat is now infilled, thus creating a plinth that more broadly reconnects the campus to the library. This new over-structure plaza added over 25,000 square feet of usable campus open space, welcoming students while doubling as a library front porch accommodating flexible spaces for study, collaboration, socializing, or simply having lunch. 

The over-structure raised planting beds of drought-resistant succulents and native yucca are organized to ensure ample and comfortable pedestrian circulation. Along the west boundary of the upper plaza, the structural connections of the 1989 subterranean expansion to the newly infilled moat were coordinated to allow shade trees to emanate at the same elevation as the site furniture, which reinforces visual connections to the immediately adjacent pedestrian mall. The reinvented library's opening coincided with the very first months of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the broad plaza and flexible seating zones perfectly suited for the sudden necessity of ample outdoor space. 

The meticulous approach to the library renovation honors the iconic history of this campus landmark. Early in the design process, it was clear the mid-century shell of monolithic granite slabs along the lower floor of the building would be replaced by modern glazing systems to daylight the library. The landscape architect, in collaboration with the general contractor and architect, explored various potential applications of the large granite slabs. In a test removal of one 4-foot by 12-foot slab, it became clear the slabs would be useful as finish material in raised planters and the edge of the plaza plinth. Detailing and constructability led to a custom stainless-steel frame with a steel vertical fin that creates definition, shadow, and skateboard deterrence. With over 4,000 square feet of granite repurposed across the site, the library's historic material is retained in its original context. 

Resiliency Most flexible seating areas occur at permeable paving systems, including at the over-structure trees along the west boundary of the plaza plinth. This unique system creates a linear trough of soil matrix for the trees rather than isolated planting pockets as more often seen in over-structure applications for large shade trees. The tightly spaced line of trees in this harsh climate shades prime seating positions during the day, followed by casting shade upon the new library glazing in late afternoon when solar exposures are at their most extreme. With most of the original moat in-filled with new interior academic space, the team and university chose to retain the original north portion of the moat as an open plaza space that provides lower-level ingress/egress. 

A mid-level terrace above the north moat was significantly modified to bring the elevation level to a smaller adjacent pedestrian mall, improving visibility and creating more opportunities for vegetation appropriate to the north aspect's micro-climate. Permeable paving systems at the north moat and plaza plinth total approximately 7,000 square feet. Combined with the west plaza plinth designed to drain to the west linear trough, the project beautifully addresses a part of campus with historical storm water challenges. Refuge The pursuit of higher education can be both exhilarating as it is daunting, enjoyable as it is terrifying, socially integrating as it is alienating. This project aims to provide refuge and solace through empathy, offering outdoor spaces that may foster positive impacts upon mental health while fostering opportunities for emotional growth. Safe study spaces made comfortable with ample shade and abundant greenery encourage longer moments to breathe in fresh air and to be connected to a larger community, even if only by sight and sound. Access to greenery coinciding with safe outdoor spaces are proven to provide stress reducing benefits, leading to both stronger academic retention and the possibility of self-discovery during a significantly vital time in one's pursuit of self-betterment.