FIU’s Green Library and classrooms undergo a face-lift

FIU students participated in the design process, helping to create dynamic new learning-centered environments.

By Susan Feinberg

When Dean of Libraries Laura Probst decided last January to renovate the first floor of the Green Library and transform it into a more student-friendly space, she had to work with a tight budget. Probst turned for help to students in Interior Design Chair Janine King’s class at the College of Architecture and the Arts (CARTA). Twenty students took on the project and came up with five design proposals.

A panel of FIU administrators and staff selected two student proposals, awarding each student on those teams $125. But Probst decided to incorporate the best design elements from a number of student proposals and make those changes on a rolling basis to keep costs down.

Remodeling the library’s first floor proved to be a challenge. In determining the best use of space, the design students had to figure out how to add a new food service location in addition to the existing Starbucks and to accommodate the traffic-flow patterns throughout the area.

Last summer, a number of the students’ design recommendations were brought to life, thanks to a team including Gloria Jacomino, director of the Office of Academic Space Management; Sylvia Berenguer, director of Construction Minor Projects; and the architectural firm MC Harry & Associates.

Before and after shots of the Green Library lobby.

In the future, Probst hopes to make more student-inspired design changes such as improving the lighting, replacing the ceiling tiles, and adding artwork and high-tech information kiosks at both entrances to the first floor.

“I was really impressed with the quality of the work that the students produced, which speaks volumes about the caliber of teaching and learning at CARTA,” said Probst.

FIU classrooms have also been upgraded recently to become environments that enhance the teaching and learning experience. Twenty-eight classrooms in the summer of 2008 and 46 classrooms last summer were remodeled for a total of $2.5 million.

Following the new classroom design standards developed by FIU, the renovations included state-of-the-art instructional technologies such as overhead media projectors and “smart podiums” equipped with built-in document cameras and computers. Other changes included zoned lighting, a new color scheme, carpet tiles to enhance the rooms’ acoustics, and additional electrical outlets to accommodate students’ laptops.

Before and after shots of DM 100.

“Students expect university classrooms to be more professional than what they experienced in high school,” explained Jacomino.“These design changes bring the level of FIU’s classrooms to today’s standards and improve their maintainability, sustainability and utilization.”

For a list of all renovation projects, please visit the Office of Academic Space Management Web site.