For the past two years, the historic sections of the Suzzallo Library building have been shrouded behind construction walls, undergoing a massive seismic retrofit and life-safety renovation. The project was completed in time for the beginning of Autumn Quarter 2002, on time and on budget.

We encourage you to explore this beautiful library once again. The West Entrance Lobby in the 1925 wing includes refurbished light fixtures and a new desk and book security system. Room 101, to the south of the entrance, features Suzzallo Espresso, an informal study room where you can have coffee and pastry while you study. To the north of the entrance lobby is Room 102, with exhibit space, along with a wall to honor donors to the University of one million dollars or more.

Perhaps the most frequently asked question during renovation was whether or not the appearance of the Reading Room would be changed by the seismic work. The goal of the architectural and construction team was to install the seismic bracing and then restore the Reading Room so that no one could tell the work had been done. We are very pleased to say that this goal has been achieved. Other than new carpet, the Reading Room looks the same as it did before.

With renovation came the opportunity to relocate library service desks in more convenient locations. The Suzzallo Circulation and Suzzallo Reference desks are now on the 1st floor and are much easier to find. The Government Publications desk and collection are on the Ground Floor, and for the first time the Government Publications collection is housed in open stacks. Another improvement is the addition of five group study rooms on the 3rd floor and a sixth study room equipped for students with disabilities.

Hundreds of people were involved in making the Suzzallo Renovation possible: The University Administration who made the project a priority in UW capital request; the state legislators who funded the project; the staff in UW Capital Projects who managed the construction; the Suzzallo Library staff who maintained library services in spite of dust and noise; the 70 Libraries staff who were moved to Sand Point for over a year; the Libraries staff who supervised the move of over 1 million volumes out of the construction zones; and the wonderful architectural and construction team who brought this project in on time and on budget. For all of them, the renovated Suzzallo Library represents a once-in-a-lifetime achievement, the restoration of an irreplaceable monument to learning.

• Formal Dedication Ceremony:
  • Thursday, November 14th, 2:30 p.m. including an academic procession with remarks by:
    • President Richard L. McCormick and Provost Lee Huntsman

    • Director of UW Libraries Betsy Wilson and others

    • Special guest, UW Professor and Poet Linda Bierds

    • Entertainment by UW School of Music Students

    • Reception and tours to follow

• Medieval Women's Choir Holiday Concert in the Reading Room
  • Saturday December 7th , 8 p.m.

  • Tickets (free) required, available in early November at Allen Library Information Desk

http://www.lib.washington.edu/about/suzzren/loc.html


Project Information

Architect : Mahlum Architects in association with Cardwell Architects

General Contractor: Turner Construction Company

Consultants:

• Mechanical : Consulting Design Incorporated
• Electrical : Travis, Fitzmaurice & Associates
• Structural : Skilling Ward Magnusson Barkshire

Drag Strut Construction - the centerpiece seismic element is the drag strut above the Grand Stair Hall, painted with a special bronze-flecked paint.

Historic Caen Stone Plaster - to accommodate the structural work, the corners of the Reading Room were reconstructed in order to match the original plaster.

Cast Stones - the cast stones in the corners of the Reading Room and the Main Entrance were removed and reset to provide for seismic reinforcement.

Helifix anchors - The seismic anchoring of the stone and brickwork along the western elevation (facing Red Square).

Shotcrete shearwalls - Shotcrete was used extensively to build new seismic shearwalls in the 1925 and 1935 buildings.

Structural Foam - this was used to reinforce the stonework of the west entry columns.

Carbon-Fiber Reinforcement - fiber reinforcement was used as an innovative way to reinforce the upper balustrade facing Red Square.

Sandstone floor pavers - new sandstone pavers were selected to match the existing pavers in the Grand Stair Hall.

Marble floor base - the marble floor base in the Reading Room was removed and reset.

New cast stones - new cast stone work was installed in the Octagon.

Terra-Cotta - due to the Nisqually Earthquake, replacement of Terra-Cotta finials was required along the western elevation.

Cork Flooring - new cork flooring is installed along the perimeter of the Reading Room and Smith Room.

Reading Room, a leather covered door and the restored millwork

Leather covered doors - existing leather doors were refurbished in the Reading Room.

Bronze floor grates - new custom bronze floor grates were manufactured for the project.

Seedy glass - "aged" appearing glass is installed in the new octagon area.

Historic light fixture restoration - several existing light fixtures were historically renovated and retrofitted for energy efficiency.

Restoration of ceiling paint in the Reading Room - damaged areas of the Reading Room ceiling were restored.

Restoration of Murals in the Smith Room - The Smith Room murals were protected and restored at the end of the project.

Millwork Restoration - the millwork in the Smith Room, Reading Room and Ground Floor 1935 building was completely restored and refurbished.

Stained Glass Windows - Several hundred stained glass window panes were replaced as part of the renovation

Suzzallo History and Renovation Exhibit is located in Room 102 and will be on display through December 2002. Some highlights of the Exhibit are:

• Two of the original drawings for the stained glass Astor Medal and Statehood Medal in the Smith Room.

• The photographic quality rendering of Carl Gould's original design, including the impressive 335 foot tall Carillon Tower.

• Photos of the extensive damage done to the stained glass windows by the June 29, 1969 bomb blast set off in the Administration Building.

1. What date did Suzzallo Renovation begin?

2. When was the largest single concrete pour?

3. What is the nickname given to the structural steel strut connecting the Reading Room and the Octagon?

4. What is Caen stone?

5. How many finial caps sustained damage from the Nisqually Earthquake?

6. What percentage of the seismic upgrade work was done when the Nisqually Earthquake happened?

7. What is the name of the California firm who originally fabricated and then recently replaced damaged finials?

8. How did the Denka Lift enter the building?

9. What is the construction term for something found during renovation that wasn't on the original building plans?

Entrance to Room 101 where Suzzallo Expresso is located

Entrance to Government Publications Collection on the Ground Floor

Answers to Renovation Trivia

1. July 27, 2000

2. Dec. 21, 2001

3. Bat Wing

4. Gypsum plaster pigmented with crushed stone and mixed to resemble stone quarried near Caen, France.

5. Four

6. 60%

7. Gladding McBean

8. Through the Third Floor Allen Bridge.

9. Discovered Conditions

Oh give me a home
Where the Deweys don't roam
And the journals and books don't inflate.
Where the stacks never shake
From a random earthquake
Due to much forethought to renovate.

Home, home in the rain
Where the books are not stored down in Kane.
Where Suzzallo's open
And the staff are all hopin'
That none will have cause to complain.

Oh listen and hear
Of a staff of good cheer
Who were brave while they moved to and fro.
Some were sent to Sand Point,
Others stayed in the joint
Though they stayed constantly on the go.

Home, home Suzzallo
Where collections can once again grow.
Where the staff don't need vans
Or elaborate plans
Just to get to where they need to go.