Just Keep Climbing

Of all the buildings I've been in in my short time at OSU, I've found the Architecture Building and Library, designed by Mack Scogin Merril Elam Architects, to be most interesting. The first thing I noticed my first time in the building was the lack of stairs - for as large a building as it is, there is no prominent staircase anywhere to be found. Instead, a large concrete ramp winding its way up and down the length of the building that wound its way all the way to the top floor. I highly underestimated this ramp, beginning the long ascent thinking it couldn't be that far to the top. As I walked, I noticed that there was something strange; there are not clearly defined stories or floors. Every area that connected off the ramp was freestanding by itself, wherever there happened to be room to put the room. Nearly every room was at a different level from the next, and each was more of a balcony than a room. No walls, just some glass railings and the open air. The lack of walls and defined stories gives the library an extremely open and airy feeling, which not only makes it more interesting to walk through but more relaxing I think.

As I said, I underestimated the ramp and I was exhausted by the time I reached the top floor. The top floor was a bit different, being an actual room separated from the rest of the open-air library. Collections of periodicals, architecture book originals, etc. are kept in this room. But the big attraction is the collection of original chairs from famous architects and designers; these chairs surround the room, each at a window facing outward, and range from enormous, plush armchairs to simple, wooden desk chairs. I felt like I could spend hours in that room just moving from chair to chair, enjoying how each was unique from the last. It was obvious other people felt the same way, moving slowly from one intriguing chair to the next.

I think the Architecture building, and more specifically the library, gives off an inviting vibe. It's a fun place to be and unlike any other building I've personally been in.