This new type of library creates a connection between Morningside Park, St. John The Divine Cathedral and intersection of Amsterdam Ave. and W. 113th St. Programmatic spaces are arranged based public density attractor points, analysis of traffic and pedestrian circulation, and connectivity with public transportation. The library is designed to arouse more interest towards books as physical entities, as opposed to digitally based information. To expose the materiality of written materials, this library project deliberately exposes book storage which is operated using Automated Storage and Retrieval System. Book stacks with automated retrieval system are put on display creating a spectacle of modern mechanization, while serving as an enclosure for the building. Enclosure of the building utilizes the subdivision concept based on the geometric transformations of the rose window of St. John Cathedral. Subdivision concept is used to efficiently store books by their size since handling and retrieval is fully automated.

• Cornell University, College of Architecture, Art, and Planning     
• Fall 2012
• Instructors: Jenny Sabin, Andrew Lucia
• Software: Rhino, Grasshopper, V-Ray, Photoshop