Situated at the crossroads of two major pedestrian routes, Polett Walk and Liacouras Walk, the Charles Library forms a new social and academic hub on Temple University’s main campus, serving over 39,000 students. Located just a block from Broad Street, Philadelphia’s primary transit artery, the building seamlessly integrates with the northern Philadelphia architectural context. Designed by Snøhetta in collaboration with Stantec, the library redefines the traditional research library role as a mere book repository, instead fostering a vibrant space for collaboration and social learning.
Spanning 220,000 square feet, the new library offers over twice the study space compared to the 1960s Paley Library it replaces. It is expected to welcome more than five million visitors annually. By uniting extensive academic resources, diverse disciplines, and advanced technologies under one roof, the Charles Library embodies Temple University’s progressive mission to provide equitable learning opportunities for students, faculty, and the local community.
The surrounding landscape and site design emphasize the building’s public role. A large plaza tilts toward the main entrance, inviting visitors inside while offering space for outdoor classrooms and informal gatherings. The building’s solid base is clad in vertically split granite, harmonizing with neighboring structures. A grand wooden arched entrance, embedded within the stone façade, acts as a welcoming portal. Expansive glass panels maximize transparency across the three primary entrances.
Inside, the soaring arches continue into a dramatic three-story domed atrium. This central space houses a 24/7 area and a technology workspace accessible to Philadelphia residents. The arched entrance and open plaza extend an inviting atmosphere to all visitors. While its distinctive geometry gives the building a unique identity, the design thoughtfully respects the scale and materials of the surrounding campus architecture.
(BIM Engineer)
From the dome-shaped atrium in the lobby, visitors can see every part of the building, making it a central navigation point that anchors users within the library’s activities. An oculus carved into the spacious cedar-covered dome lets natural light flood the lobby from the top floor, connecting the building’s endpoint with its origin. The steel-clad main staircase is visible from the entrance, spiraling upward to the top floor and inviting users to explore the entire space. This visual and physical connection fosters orientation and encourages full engagement with the library’s resources.
At the base of the main staircase, a one-stop service desk connects library staff with students, facilitating access to the extensive collection housed in the innovative high-density automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS), affectionately called “bookbots.” Towering 57 feet and spanning three floors, this system can hold nearly two million books; currently, it stores 1.5 million volumes. The bookbots have enabled the relocation of collections previously kept offsite, freeing up significant space for collaborative learning, academic resources, and individual study.
To meet the growing demand for seating and academic support, the library houses multiple partner initiatives and resources under one roof. The Student Success Center, located on the second and third floors, offers writing and tutoring assistance. The Loretta C. Duckworth Scholar Studio provides digital production and immersive technology facilities, alongside Temple University Press. The Charles Library is committed to a fully mobile technology strategy, offering laptops and charging stations on every floor, freeing workspaces from the constraints of traditional desktop computers to meet rising student technology needs. Over 40 conference rooms and study areas are available for reservation throughout the building. Serving students from various departments, the library delivers cutting-edge technology and diverse learning environments, making these resources more accessible than ever.
The library balances innovative, customized spaces for today’s students with a traditional research-focused experience. The peaceful and sunlit fourth floor invites visitors to browse the book stacks. Approximately 200,000 books are centrally located, surrounded by more private study areas. Two spacious reading rooms at the north and south ends of the floor are dedicated to graduate students, faculty, and undergraduates. The fourth floor is fully glazed, offering views of lush green roofs that create a natural, serene atmosphere. These rooftop gardens, designed as extended grasslands, feature ornamental grasses, perennials, and managed flowering species that provide year-round color and interest. With over 15 plant species, the rooftop garden supports urban biodiversity by attracting pollinators and offers tranquil views of the campus and cityscape.
Covering 47,300 square feet, the green roof spans over 70% of the building’s rooftop, making it one of Pennsylvania’s largest. It plays a key role in managing rainwater by capturing runoff not only from the Temple campus but also from Philadelphia’s aging and overburdened infrastructure. Designed to meet Philadelphia Water Authority standards, the system combines green roofs, permeable plazas and roadways, landscaped permeable areas, and two underground collection basins capable of storing and treating nearly 500,000 gallons of stormwater. Overall, the project manages stormwater runoff from approximately three acres of land on-site, plus an additional acre of impermeable surface beyond the site.
The Charles Library embraces the evolving needs of modern students and learning models. By enhancing academic resources through social engagement, fostering visual and physical connectivity using BIM technology, and encouraging collaborative learning, the design inspires active student participation. This represents one of the largest facility investments in Temple University’s history and serves as a vital hub for students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community. As a world-class facility at Philadelphia’s only public university, the Charles Library marks a transformative moment for Temple University, the city, and academic libraries worldwide.
Project Drawings
▲ Site Plan
▲ First Floor Plan
▲ Second Floor Plan
▲ Third Floor Plan
▲ Fourth Floor Plan
▲ East Elevation View
▲ West Elevation View
▲ South Elevation View
▲ North Elevation View
▲ Sectional View
▲ Sectional View
▲ Analysis Chart
▲ Analysis Chart
Project Information
Design Company: Snøhetta
Project Address: 1330 Polett Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
Project Type: Library
Design Architect, Landscape Architect, Interior Designer: Snøhetta
Executive Architect: Snøhetta & Stantec
Building Area: 220,000 ft²
Project Year: 2019
Photography by Michael Grimm
Record Keeping, Sustainable Development, LEED Consultant, and MEP Engineering Architect: Stantec
Municipal Engineering: Hunt Engineering
Structural Engineer: LERA
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