Architects: William L. Pereira & Associates
Area: 176000 ft²
Year: 1970
Photographs: Darren Bradley, Flickr user domc, Flickr user 3n, Flickr user brazilfox, Flickr user kevinsm329, Flickr users SnaPsi, UC Irvine, and Thomas Hawk, Flickr user dankit, Flickr user Belis@rio, Ben Lunsford, Westxtk, Andrew Chen (Achen33), Tktktk, Luisovaldez, Flickr user Travis Rigel Lukas Hornung, TritonsRising
Structural Engineer: Brandow & Johnston
Services Engineer: Frumhoff & Cohen (Electrical), J.L. Hengstler & Associates (Mechanical)
Main Contractor: Nielsen Construction, Swinerton Builders
Client: University of California San Diego
City: San Diego
Country: United States
Geisel Library at the University of California, San Diego, designed by William L. Pereira & Associates and completed in 1970, is an iconic structure blending brutalist and futuristic architecture. Known for its concrete piers and hovering glass enclosures, the building stands as the most recognizable landmark on campus. The library houses over 7 million volumes and the Mandeville Special Collections, including the Dr. Seuss Collection. A significant renovation in 1993 expanded its subterranean space, and in 1995, it was renamed following a $20 million donation from Audrey Geisel. Despite occasional criticism of its style, Geisel Library remains a cultural and architectural symbol of UCSD.
Geisel Library, the main library building at the University of California, San Diego, is an iconic structure named in honor of Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as children’s author Dr. Seuss. Designed by William Pereira, the building was completed in 1970 and stands out as a landmark a brutalist and futuristic architecture. The building’s distinctive design has made it the most recognizable structure on campus and an emblem of UC San Diego, even being featured in the university’s logo.
Pereira’s design reflects a fascinating intersection between brutalism and futurism, characterized by its strong concrete piers and hovering glassy enclosures. The library appears to balance between massiveness and levitation, as if the upper stories could be lifted from their base at any moment. This tension gives the building an otherworldly appearance and underscores Pereira’s imaginative approach to architecture.
Initially conceived as a modernist structure made entirely of steel and glass, the design was later modified due to cost-cutting measures. The switch to a reinforced concrete structure allowed for a more sculptural design and opened up the interior spaces that would have otherwise been divided by steel trusses.
The result is an eight-story building with two submerged floors and six above-ground levels of varying sizes, with the widest level occurring at the sixth floor.
The building’s tapered cantilevers are supported by a structural system consisting of sixteen massive concrete piers that rise from the forum level and branch outward at 45-degree angles. These piers are connected by over three hundred quarter-inch steel tie rods to counteract gravitational forces. Giant sheets of plate glass, coated in anodized aluminum, provide light to the reading spaces and create a dynamic appearance, as the color of the glass changes with the weather and time of day.
The library is located at the geometric center of the UC San Diego campus, positioned at the head of a canyon, and was strategically designed to allow for future expansions that would step down into the canyon. The building houses over 7 million volumes to support the educational and research needs of the university. It also contains the Mandeville Special Collections and Archives, including the Dr. Seuss Collection, which features approximately 8,500 items documenting Dr. Seuss’s creative achievements.
The library has undergone several renovations since its original construction. A significant renovation and expansion in 1993, designed by Gunnar Birkerts, added 136,850 square feet of subterranean space and brought the facility up to modern safety standards. In 1995, following a $20 million donation from Audrey Geisel, the library was renamed Geisel Library.
Geisel Library has also become a cultural icon, appearing in various films, television shows, and other media. Its unique design has inspired comparisons to science fiction landscapes, and it continues to be a focal point of the UC San Diego campus. Despite occasional criticism of its brutalist style, the library is cherished by the university community and remains a symbol of the university’s past and future aspirations.
The library’s name has faced criticism in recent years due to Theodor Geisel’s past expressions of racial prejudice. Although he later renounced these views, some students have called for a renaming of the library. However, no official response from the university has been made regarding these concerns.
In addition to the main building, the UC San Diego Library system includes the Sally T. WongAvery Library and several off-campus locations. Geisel Library continues to play a vital role in the academic and cultural life of the university, serving as a functional space and architectural masterpiece.
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Address: 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, United States
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
