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]

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]

Cork, Ireland – Mary Hanafin, TD, Ireland’s Minister for Education and Science, dedicated the newly expanded and renovated Boole Library, Ireland’s leading research institute, today in a ceremony at University College Cork. In her remarks, the Minister called the project a “great example of Ireland’s commitment to upgrading facilities for research nationwide.”

This addition and renovation, which includes a new postgraduate research library, significantly expands and upgrades Boole , already the largest library outside Dublin, with integrated technologies, as well as additional conservation, reading, and exhibition space.

The Boole Library is home to the Official ...[more]

The Boole Postgraduate Research Library at University College Cork in Ireland has received a “High Commendation” from the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) in the Society’s 2010 Library Design Awards, announced earlier this month.

The citation reads, in part, “This… extraordinary environment work[s] well for its audience. The building is linked to its environment and to the rest of the campus through the clever use of materials. The atrium has a wonderful sense of light, making an impressive entrance to the building. There is a strong ...[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]

As a response to the ongoing quest to reduce energy consumption, chilled beams are experiencing a surge in popularity, according to “Chill Out: A look at passive and active chilled-beam systems,” which appears in the current issue of eco-structure magazine. In the article, Shepley Bulfinch’s Jonathan Baron discusses the importance of understanding a building’s thermal dynamics and the environments for which chilled beam systems are best suited.

In his interview with writer Judith Stock, Jonathan talks about strategies for addressing potential condensation issues, as well as the need for close coordination with ...[more]

McClay Library at Queen’sUniversity Belfast received a Commendation in the UK’s 2011 Civic Trust Awards held in Manchester, England, on March 4.

Established in 1959, the Civic Trust Awards recognize the best in architecture, design, planning, landscape and public art. Awards are given to projects of the highest quality design that are judged to have made a positive cultural, social, or economic contribution to the local community.

McClay Library was the only project from Northern Ireland to be so recognized. This is the second major UK award for the ...[more]

Shepley Bulfinch has maintained its strong ranking among top architecture firms in the US, in the results of the Giants 300 survey published in Building Design + Construction magazine this month. The firm was ranked 29th overall, and 29th and 54th respectively in education and healthcare design. The survey also gave a nod to Shepley’s environmental commitment, ranking the firm among the country’s top 100 green design firms for the third consecutive year.

The firm’s sustainable projects in the past year include McClay Library at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland, which ...[more]