Student Library and Learning Center

Organized around a central gathering-stair, the library is flooded with natural light and houses meeting spaces, rare book collections and cultural artifacts. The modern design evolves in bold new ways to meet the current and future needs of Texas Southern University’s students.

Similar to athletic venues where collegial colors take center stage, the highly branded academic environment creates an energetic flow, fostering comradery among students. The active stairs provide a place for resting or connecting and elevates transparency of activity within the space. The collections room on the upper floor pays homage to ethnic literary figures, with quotes etched on glass and featured portraits on shelving. Designed to mimic a gallery walk, cultural art is displayed along the main corridor, featuring various textiles to add depth and movement in the space. Multi-use spaces include a maker space, conference and training rooms and robust third-place spaces for students to study or socialize.

The  building includes a café, classrooms, book stacks and computer labs, study areas, offices, meeting and board rooms as well as gallery space. Additionally, the building houses the TSU’s faculty senate, IT department, serves as an Honors College, and provides an alumni suite.