The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Hekman Library

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Hekman Library (general view), Calvin College

Institution Name: Calvin College
Original/Historic Place Name: Hekman Library
Location on Campus: 3201 Burton SE
Date(s) of Construction:

1969	original construction Fyfe, William Beye Perkins + Will Architects
1993	construction information unknown

Designer: William Beye Fyfe; Perkins & Will Architects
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Modern/post-WWII (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, education
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: concrete

Walls: brick, common

Roof:

Function:

ca. 1969-present (2006)

library

Narrative:
The "keystone" of the academic center of campus is, appropriately, the library. Main stacks, reference, and special collections are on level 2 through 5, with information technology on level 0 (below grade). The exterior form of the building is largely glass on upper floors but is most visible to the north, where four reading levels look out onto the Commons Green (campus center). The fifth floor cantilevers out from the lower three floors and "tops out" the overall building by providing a strong shadow line under the floor line. Strip windows on all levels reinforce the horizontal lines. Pairs of massive columns at corners frame the building form.

References: