Macalester College is a private liberal arts college in St. Paul, Minnesota. Founded in 1874, this undergraduate institution emphasizing internationalism and multiculturalism is internationally renowned.
The college sought to improve the functionality of Dewitt Wallace Library, a central point of the academic experience and a hub of campus life. Macalester engaged Pope Design Group to design a renovation of the First Floor and part of the Third Floor, to make it more inviting for current and future students, and align the space with contemporary library design.
The design team held programming and visioning meetings with students and staff to guide the ideation. For Macalester, a main goal was housing the Macalester Academic Excellence (MAX) Center, which supports student academic success and educational independence. The new design fosters a collaborative environment within the confines of the existing library walls. Students are greeted with a right-sized service desk that serves as a centralized check-in for both the library and the MAX Center services.
A variety of furniture settings and layouts in warm color tones provide comfortable huddle spaces for students to work with tutors or seek quiet space for individual study. A reduced need for book shelving on the first floor allowed for additional seating options to serve more students and accommodate different study styles.