The initial concept formed from an idea of access, specifically accessibility for people with disabilities, but noting that everyone can at some point in their life have a disability, such as pushing a stroller carrying bags or walking with a cane, the project began to gear more towards access to knowledge. On the site, the building is situated with one entrance near the oval and the easiest entrance to access from the main library, one entrance ramping up from College Road and the bookstore and cafe are located on the more foot trafficked side of the building at the north. With the idea of access to knowledge the building is organized around a core of the special collec- tions. At different places around the exterior, the core can be viewed in different ways. At some points the core appears to be firmly planted, at others it seems to be floating and at others the core can be seen almost entirely. Bridges connect the special collections of the core to the main library collections and library science departments. Also ramps connect the main collections to the library and library science portion of the building. So the core becomes a place to go only to access the special collections but not a place of common circulation. LISA JOHNSON MAD LIBRARY - ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE FIRST FLOOR PLAN Special Collections W.C. Fine Arts Seminar Rooms Classrooms Faculty Offices Auditorium Private Exterior Gathering Public Exterior Gathering Cafe Bookstore