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Breathing New Life into Brutalist Libraries

by | Jul 15, 2025 | Boston, Voices

Breathing New Life into Brutalist Libraries

by Bob Mohr, AIA, LEED AP

outdoor terrace with rainbow hues connecting library to the community
The Harvard Innovation Lab in Allston, MA is a renovation of a 1965 Brutalist design by Hugh Stubbins. Photo © Shepley Bulfinch.
Thanks to modern conservation efforts and popularization via media like the Oscar winning film “The Brutalist,” what was once widely considered the most controversial architectural movement of the 20th century is being seen in a new light. Since its emergence in the 1950s, this style of architecture, and post war modernism more generally, has become intertwined with the character of American higher education campuses, especially their libraries. While we work to renovate these structures for contemporary needs, we must balance this with an appreciation for their history.

Understanding Brutalism and its Influence on Campuses

Despite the term’s connotation in English, “brutalist” derives from the French béton brut – raw concrete – the style’s signature material. To some, the bold, unadorned, and expressive forms of brutalism are inspiring symbols of the post-war period’s democratic and civic ideals, but to others they are unwelcoming, inflexible, and overly monumental buildings that are tuned to outdated modes and needs. The difficulty with mid-century structures is that they embody both these realities, and although the term “heroic” is a way to honor these ambitious structures, this re-branding does little to assuage the fact that many brutalist buildings require investment and transformation to overcome their foreboding impression.

The Cable Car Building at Paradise Valley Ski Resort in Tahoe City, CA, is an original Brutalist design by Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott. Photo © Shepley Bulfinch.
Brutalism coincided with another trend that swept across the United States: the growth of colleges and universities. A response to the Baby Boomer generations’ growing youth population, combined with new emphasis on (and funding of) higher education from the federal government, undergraduate admissions were five-times higher by the end of this era, and schools expanded to accommodate the influx.
Interior concrete stairwell in library, purple tree mural on central column
The former Gutman Library at Thomas Jefferson University, originally designed in 1967 by George M. Ewing, was renovated in 1991 by Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott to house architecture and design studios Photo © Shepley Bulfinch.
As we move through the 21st century, these academic libraries are faced with new challenges. Brutalist structures are high in embodied carbon, thanks to their embrace of concrete, making a strong environmental case for their renovation and adaptation. Mid-20th-century libraries were primarily designed to house large collections of physical material, with discrete spaces for quiet, individual study. Over time, libraries have evolved into more than just static book repositories to become dynamic and adaptive places focused on people and changing approaches to research and learning. Today’s “living” library buildings must be upgraded for better environmental performance, and adapted to contemporary needs, while preserving architectural integrity and intent. Revitalizing these historic structures presents tremendous opportunities for higher education campuses to simultaneously build on their history and progress into the future.
Take Mugar Library for example. A part of Boston University’s Charles River Campus, designed by J.L. Sert, Mugar Memorial Library is the largest and most central of Boston University’s libraries. Renovation proposals currently under consideration will strengthen library programs and transform the spatial experience, addressing deferred maintenance, and upgrading infrastructure to be more sustainable and resilient. The design approach to the renovation of such a notable structure, designed and constructed in the mid-1960s, involves layers of intricacy. Our project team constantly navigates the delicate balance of preserving Sert’s original design intentions while adapting the library for modern use. For instance, one opportunity is the revitalization of Mugar’s main entrance pavilion into an inviting space that highlights the Library’s activities and programs, and is more accessible to the public. Through transformations that better engage them with their urban and campus surroundings, buildings from the mid-century can continue to serve their institutions well into the future.

Best Practices in Renovating Brutalist Architecture

In these types of projects, the key is to embrace complexity. Brutalist architecture can present unusual challenges, with these structures often conflicting with energy codes and accessibility standards. An integrated, iterative design process allows for a holistic approach, identifying new considerations early and planning for different potential scenarios.

Renovating Brutalist libraries is not just about preserving architectural heritage; it’s about transforming these monumental structures into vibrant, functional spaces that meet the needs of today’s users. As we look to the future, trends in library design emphasize flexibility, technology integration, and community-centered approaches. These innovations ensure that libraries remain relevant and continue to serve as hubs of knowledge, creativity, and connection. When institutions invest in their library spaces, they create a profound impact on academic success and community engagement.

The Charles F. Hurley Building in Boston was designed by Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, alongside Paul Rudolph, in 1973. Photo © Shepley Bulfinch.

 

 

Learn more about adapting historic university buildings.
Bob Mohr, AIA, LEED AP

Bob Mohr, AIA, LEED AP

Principal

Bob’s design practice over the past 20 years has spanned the United States and globally, including Europe, North Africa, and Asia.

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