The revitalization of the Fourth Floor Reading Room in Robarts Library transforms a hallowed, double-storey space into a graceful and inclusive learning commons that meets contemporary student needs and learning styles.

Opened in 1973, Robarts is a Brutalist icon that is both the largest individual library at the University of Toronto and the largest academic library building in Canada. As part of a larger Robarts renewal initiative, our renovation sought to achieve an ambitious goal: convert the space into a modern environment for quiet study, collaboration, and digital scholarship in a manner that complements the building’s exalted architecture and supports accessibility, diversity, and wellness.

Analysis of the Reading Room’s unique spatial and material qualities drove a responsive scheme focused on elegance and accessibility. The result is a linchpin space connecting past and present through deliberate interventions that deliver a varied program: quiet areas for individual study and work; accessible standing desks; over thirty new digital stations; bookable consultation rooms; and dedicated light therapy zones.

Deep inclusivity and high functionality shaped every aspect of the project. Study spots that allow users to customize study table heights, chair positions, and lighting are integrated seamlessly throughout the space. All materials and finishes meet AODA standards while stairs, entrances, and circulation paths exceed minimum barrier-free requirements. Clear sightlines and intuitive wayfinding in a symmetrical layout promote easy navigation, and a sophisticated sound dampening strategy tailored to the vast open space enables a comfortable acoustic experience for both group and individual study.

To honour the existing architecture and extend the legacy of this beloved and trafficked campus space, we introduced elegant, natural, and durable materials and furnishings. Leather upholstery and oak impart warmth in a large room otherwise dominated by concrete while custom-designed bronze screens and details pay homage to the library’s original features.