BROOKLYN, NY – Principal Alexander (Sandy) Howe, one of Shepley’s senior designers, received an honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College as part of the school’s commencement ceremony earlier today. The degree was awarded in recognition of his design achievements in academic architecture, including the Brooklyn College Library, which was completed in 2003.

In addition to Brooklyn College, Sandy’s recent and current clients include the University of Notre Dame, the University of New Mexico, and Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

His design for the recent expansion of the Boole Library at ...[more]

The Howe Library in Hanover, New Hampshire, was one of three singled out for special mention in the February 1 issue of the Library Journal feature on “Best Small Libraries in America”. The winning entry was the Grand County Public Library in Moab, Utah.

The 18,700 s.f. Howe Library, which was originally designed by Shepley Bulfinch in 1974, was substantially renovated and expanded by the firm to accommodate the growing Hanover community and its changing needs. The design includes space for library and community activities, and features an expanded children’s room, a young adult room, and a reading loft.

Tad Jusczyk gave everyone at Shepley a remarkable new perspective as he journeyed from Xi’an to Venice this past summer as Shepley Bulfinch’s inaugural Howe Traveling Fellow. As Tad traveled we shared his discoveries and observations on his blog, The Long Road to Venice. Since his return, they have enriched our design dialogue.

His journeys were also documented in Tour de Force, a Boston Society of Architects’ online feature and slideshow.

The Howe Traveling Fellowship is a grant for travel and exploration for Shepley Bulfinch staff, supported by the firm to honor ...[more]

One of Northern Ireland’s newest landmark buildings – the McClay Library at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland – was officially opened today by one of the University’s most famous alumni, Nobel prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney.

Speaking at the event, Dr Heaney lauded the new library, saying, calling it “a lightship for scholarship…” He went on to comment on how the library represents the role of technology in transforming how students learn.

Illuminated by a multi-story open atrium, the 196,000 square foot building accommodates 2,000 reader places and 1.2 million volumes. ...[more]

The University of New Mexico’s Science & Mathematics Learning Center in Albuquerque was dedicated on March 4, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and building tour. University Regent Carolyn Abeita and President David Schmidly were joined by political and community leaders and senior administrators for the event.

“I’m very excited to see the vision of the Center come to life,” said Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Brenda Claiborne. “Not only does the center provide fully equipped teaching labs and classrooms aimed at engaging freshmen and sophomores in science and mathematics, but it ...[more]

ATLANTA, GA – The Portman Family Middle School was dedicated at The Lovett School today in a ceremony that drew attention to the school’s commitment to environmental stewardship. From the building’s design and operations to its students’ curriculum, sustainability is integrated throughout the 75,000 s.f. school, which opened for classes in September.

The facility provides sixth through eighth grade students with a technology-rich learning environment, including science labs, a computer lab, art and drama studios, collaborative study rooms, and a 500-seat multi-purpose room.

The school’s garden roof is an interactive learning space, with native plantings ...[more]

CHICAGO, IL – Boole Library, the postgraduate research facility at University College Cork, Ireland, has received a 2008 International Architecture Award from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.

Built on the site of an ancient settlement the Library’s red sandstone exterior is a contemporary continuation of the settlement’s stone wall, while copper cladding and glass complete the façade. The design also responds to several massive specimen trees from the Victorian botanical garden that once occupied the site. The expanses of glass facing north offer views into the University’s Victorian quad, to the ...[more]

LAS CRUCES, NM – Following the completion of its two-year renovation and expansion, New Mexico State University’s College of Education marked the re-opening of O’Donnell Hall with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration today.

Home to the College of Education since 1968, O’Donnell Hall was given a new and vibrant identity with the addition of a three-story wing, a new entry, additional classrooms, and an infusion of natural light. Michael Morehead, the College’s interim dean, called it “a magnificent building and… a place where future educators can learn and ...[more]