Something about the Nature of Architecture: The History of the Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library

Changes Over Time

Interior, library, Rudolph Reading Room, 1966

Richard Meier plan for Art & Architecture building

Despite the desire for updates and changes over the years, adequate renovation of the Art & Architecture building was continuously deferred or disrupted. Many plans were made but few would come close to a complete project.

Some proposed changes centered specifically on the library's placement. In 1992, a committee assigned to reimagine art facilities on campus took a recommendation from art historians and librarians to suggest to the President the creation of a unified Art Library which would serve architecture, art, and drama together with one collection in a larger space, and complete with air-conditioning to protect the materials. They even proposed a site. The new library would be constructed at 194 York Street, at that time a building owned by the University and leased as a restaurant (Gentree's). Though this paricular plan failed to take shape, the Loria Center would eventually be built in this exact spot. The Yale Daily News, as always, covered those developments: "The site has the 'ideal location' because it is between the drama school and the Art and Architecture building... The current library is 'not user-friendly' and 'much too small and was not designed as a library,' [University Librarian, Millicent] Abell said, adding that a new library could sustain longer hours and would be air-conditioned" (Zweiman, 11).

Similarly, in 1996, an Arts Advisory Committee tasked with developing a comprehensive plan for arts facilities on campus included an idea for redesigning the A & A building by architect James Polshek. This redesign would have the library expand upstairs into the exhibition gallery but never gained momentum (Stern, Stamp, 513).

In February 2001, after years of anticipation, it was announced that reknowned architect Richard Meier would design the long-awaited addition to Art & Architecture building. Excitement was building after so many false starts and the Yale Alumni Magazine proudly shared the announcement in its March 2001 Special Tercentennial Edition:

Meier, who has won numerous architecture awards, including the Pritzker Prize, is known for his crisp, white modernist buildings. The new structure will occupy the site where the former Gentree’s restaurant and an apartment building now stand on York Street. Besides the History of Art department, the new structure will house an expansion of the arts library, which now occupies the ground floor of the A&A building. The Art Gallery will take over Street Hall, the history of art department’s current home ("A New Neighbor for the A & A Building," March 2001).

However, problems arose just as the celebration was beginning. Later that year the project's benefactor decided to place his funds on hold until the economy rebounded. There were also objections from those who would use the building. Dean of Architecture, Robert A.M. Stern tried to dissuade any design of Meier's that would block the existing upper-story windows facing East Rock. Other interested parties voiced their concerns. According to Stern and Stamp, "the librarians" were particularly displeased with the proposal:

"Construction was to be completed by 2004. However, as his design began to take shape, Meier came into conflict with university staff—especially the librarians, who deemed his design for their space to be unworkable... The once fast-tracked project was now indefinitely delayed." (Stern, Stamp, 567)

Rudolph Reading Room from the mezzanine (early 2000s). Photo by Chris Zollo. 

The library expansion and unification would have to wait, again.

It would be several more years before the eventual restoration and addition was completed in 2008 by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects. During that time,  accommodations were made for changes in technology and the use of the library space. In the early 2000s, with only a few recently restored elements, like the glass wall between the library and the 2nd floor gallery, the original layout for the Rudolph Reading Room was lost in a clutter of tables and chairs, yet to be restored and enhanced.