Tulane Center for Engaged Learning and Teaching
Tulane University Uptown Campus
Client: Tulane University
Role: Architecture, Interior Design, Furnishing Specification
Scope: Renovation of portion of third floor of existing library into a faculty hub.
Status: Complete 2023
Size: 9,800 sq. ft.
Budget: $1,500,000
Collaborators: Synergy Consulting Engineers, CM Combs Construction
A hub for faculty training and technology assistance
Tulane’s Center for Engaged Learning and Teaching (CELT) is committed to fulfill the core purpose of creating meaningful learning through exceptional teaching. Studio West saw this project as an opportunity to design a new dedicated space on Tulane’s campus to promote research about teaching and create community among faculty. The new Center includes a technology-enables classroom for faculty instruction, several small conference rooms, a lounge and communal kitchen with a coffee bar, and administrative offices and support spaces.
Evolving role of libraries
Located on the third floor of Tulane University’s Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, the new Center for Engaged Learning and Teaching is an ideal location for the program’s mission of promoting synergies between research and teaching. Libraries are transforming from repositories of books to centers of knowledge and learning, partnerships with academic institutions such as CELT enrich the experience of the University community. The space was previously a mash up of IT spaces, storage, dated classrooms, and a maze of inefficient stacks. In collaboration with the library Studio West worked to efficiently reorganize the stacks, so the library had minimal amount of reorganization required, and update graduate study carrels to provide more flexible and functional modern study space. This allowed for both the CELT program and the library to gain new spaces from the construction project.
A character defining feature of the Tulane University Howard-Tilton Library interior is it’s sculptural vaulted ceiling dating from the 1960s. The 4’-2” x 4’-4” ceiling grid is difficult to retrofit, so most projects in the library resolve to demolish the sculptural ceiling and replace it which is costly as it requires relocating mechanical, electrical and fire suppression systems. Studio West mocked up several retrofit lighting and smooth panel options, providing a template for how future spaces in the library can be renovated without resorting to removing the entire ceiling. In addition, to maintain the interior character of the library, the design decision to retain the existing ceiling grid, led to a more sustainable interior by minimizing construction waste and was a cost-effective solution for the project.
