This library of Middle Eastern Studies was housed in the first floor of the Middle Eastern Studies Building at NYU, on the south side of Washington Square Park. While the building was modern and beautiful, it wasn't serving the needs of the library, in part because the entry into the space was blunt, lacking in ceremony and offering no sense of transition between the noisy world outside and the serene space within. TCA's solution highlights the usefulness of a single tall glass wall, which created a vestibule, allowed the library to institute improved climate controls, provided acoustical separation for people using the library and allowed for some additional security. At the same time, the space stayed visually open and light, so there was no sense of enclosure. TCA also designed furniture on two mezzanines for improved access to the collections, shelving, lighting, and a new reception desk.