DURHAM, NC – US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy was the keynote speaker at the dedication last week for Duke University Law School’s new Star Commons and newly renovated Goodson Law Library. Joining him on stage for the event were University President Richard Brodhead and Law School Dean David Levi.

More than 500 students, faculty, staff, and alumni filled the Commons for the event. In his remarks, Dean Levi noted, “We now have facilities that match the strength of our faculty and students. As spectacular as this building is, we are most proud of the community it symbolizes and the work it facilitates.”

The project, completed on time and under budget for ...[more]

PRINCETON, NJ – The result of the Princeton Review’s survey of 120,000 students at 368 top US colleges and universities ranked four campuses with recent or current Shepley-designed libraries on its “Best Library” list. The four are Princeton (#2), Duke (#3), Furman (#13), and Colgate (#18) universities.

Duke Library at Furman University was awarded LEED Gold certification by the US Green Building Council earlier this year, and the latest phase of the renovation of Perkins Library at Duke University is scheduled for completion at the end of the summer

Agnes Scott College in Decatur, where the firm’s projects include the school’s science center, was ranked 19th in “Best Classroom Experience”.

In a related ...[more]

With its cafe and generous space, the glass-walled Pavilion is a wildly popular destination campus destination. The space evolved to embody a concept we call “safe space”: an environment that fosters comfort, honesty, and trust. The Pavilion sits near Duke’s iconic chapel, a subtle nod to the notion of library as inspirational space. Conversation and collaboration flow unhindered between the Pavilion and Perkins Library. Flexibility of time is integral to safe space, where formal and and informal meetings are neither limited or prolonged. This notion of flexible time takes the well-known “third place” concept a step further by extending and encouraging ...[more]

Shepley Bulfinch’s latest project on the Duke University campus is the subject of an article in today’s issue of the Duke University Law School paper, “The Devil’s Advocate”. In the article, Professor Tom Metzloff, co-chair of the school’s building committee, unveiled plans for the design and construction of the Star Commons, an addition to the law school building.

The new Commons will provide the school with public space, including casual seating for 150 on the main floor and, as a forum for major public speaking events, seating for up to 500.

It is scheduled for completion at the end of 2008.