kdA has been selected to renovate the Arts Library at University of California Santa Barbara. The goal of the project is to integrate the university’s Music Library collection into its existing Arts Library, combining the two collections while maintaining the necessary study space for the library users.

Music students’ specific needs were identified in the early stages of the project and foregrounded – for example, by providing specialized listening rooms in the space so they can explore the recorded media of the collection. One critical need identified among the end users was the simple ability to find available study space with power, seating, and lighting, especially during high usage times. This programmatic issue was addressed by reconfiguring the space near the entry lobby, providing a wide range of seating options, from accessible carrels to soft seating and a group study room.

In addition to the combination of the Arts and Music Library programs, the project included structural tests of the existing slab to confirm that it would support the new compact shelving stacks being added to the library.

Interventions are focused on the lobby and lounge areas, selectively targeting improvements to keep the project on budget. The wood-clad ‘Music Lounge’ provides an entry area to the listening rooms, giving them an acoustical buffer from the stacks and study areas as well as creating a special experience specific to enjoying the study of music.