UCLA’s Young Library Undergoes Landmark LEED Gold Renovation

Originally built in the 1960s, the <a href="http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/researchlibrary/index.cfm" target="_blank">Charles E. Young Research Library</a> has been a staple for many students at UCLA. The library recent received an well-deserved facelift, undergoing numerous landmark renovations. Led by <a href="http://www.perkinswill.com/work/ucla-charles-e.-young-research-library.html" target="_blank">Perkins+Will</a>, the library's renovations focused in on significant improvements across the board, including energy efficiency, technology, functionality and use of space. The LEED Gold targeted overhaul brought more natural daylight into the space, improved the study areas, increased collaborative work spaces, and made the library more flexible for the future modifications.

UCLA's Charles E. Young Library was originally designed by <a href="http://www.aquincyjones.com/" target="_blank">A. Quincy Jones</a> and <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1999/aug/28/news/mn-4441" target="-blank">Frederick E. Emmons</a> in the 60s, but had become outdated.

Rather than tear it down and build a new one, the university decided to renovate it and tasked Perkins+Will to ensure its usefulness in the future.

“Guided by the themes of discovery, journey and collaboration, we developed these new spaces to support pedagogy and research both now and into the future,” said UCLA University Librarian Gary E. Strong in a press release.

“Academic research libraries are no longer defined by their physical collections, and this redesign reshapes our collection access, services, and facilities to support our users throughout their academic and professional careers.”

In accordance with University of California policy, the renovations adhered to green building principles established by the USGBC and the renovation is expected to receive a LEED Gold certification for Commercial Interiors 2.0.

The renovation firstly improved the spaces within to create better private study areas, collaborative rooms, improve the technology and digital systems for the library's use.

Overall the renovation has made the library much more welcoming.

Perkins+Will also opened up the building to fill the interior with more natural daylight and reduce potable water usage.

The building buys most of its energy via wind power, has 95% Energy Star compliant equipment, diverted 90% of construction waste from landfills during the construction process, and has a robust recycling program.

Since re-opening in the fall of 2011, the library has become much more popular and has seen twice as many visitors as the previous year before the renovation.

Improved lighting and new furniture makes a huge impact in the library.

An upgraded cafe provides a good space for a study break.

New glass walls, new materials and interior finishes give the building a fresh look.