CLC student wins library redesign contest
An innovative, curvilinear urban design for the second floor of the College of Lake County's John C. Murphy Library won Stephanie Martoccio of Ingleside first place in a design contest, sponsored by the CLC architecture technology program and the library.
Beyond the $500 prize, Martoccio earned valuable experience that she can include in a portfolio when she applies to study architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology in 2012.
The second-place winner was Sasha Montes de Oca of Waukegan, who won a KI executive task chair. The third-place winner was Katherin Mundt of Antioch, who won $100. To view photos from the judging event, please visit http://library.clcillinois.edu/redesigncontest.cfm.
The prizes were awarded on April 15, 2011 by CLC President Jerry Weber. The contest was judged by Gabe Wilcox, Legat Architects; Ted Johnson, CLC Facilities; Jonathan Matta, KI (Krueger International); and David Petrulis, CLC architecture instructor.
Petrulis raved about the winning design, which he said achieved the contest's goal of providing a modern and usable library space better suited to student needs.
“Stephanie's design was innovative and provided the clear and exciting concept of Chicago lights at dusk,” Petrulis said. “Her design had several interesting aspects. She successfully provided for social and quiet areas with separate identities, improved way-finding and utilized a curved book shelving system that incorporated seating within the bookshelf itself for comfortable browsing. How many times have you sat in the aisle of the stacks to page through a book? Stephanie's solution would give you a seat, right in the stacks! The finishing touch is her innovative use of halogen curvilinear track lighting designed to evoke the city lights of downtown Chicago. And students can belly up to the ‘lap top bar,' with a beautiful view overlooking the reading room and Willow Lake.”
Martoccio, a Grant Community High School 2009 graduate, studied the library's traffic flow for several months, observing how students use the space. She also conducted interviews and did other research. As president of the CLC Architecture Club, she credits her professor, David Petrulis, for his inspiration and assistance in preparing the design.
“Dave was there for every question,” she said. “He is amazing; the best teacher I've ever had. Being there for the students is so important to him. I would have been unable to do it by myself.”
Some of the other features included in the winning design are separate zones, many of them surrounded by glass walls to reduce noise; and dedicated space for lounging, group and individual studying, printing/copying, working at computers and for the reference desk. There's even a “kid zone” with child-size tables and children's books, so parents can feel comfortable bringing their children to the library. Bright colors, comfortable furniture, ceiling-hung art work by students and a cell-phone use area are also part of Martoccio's design.
“The book stacks are curved, with seats built right into them where one person can sit in stacks. I want more people to engage in books and make it a more enjoyable experience,” Martoccio said.
A budget request for the Fiscal Year 2012 was made to begin the design process, according to Connie Bakker, dean of libraries and instructional services. “If funded, the student designs will be taken to the architects for consideration toward the remodeling design,” she said.