Smith College’s reimagined Neilson Library is complete

This reimagined main library, designed by Maya Lin Studio with Bialosky and Partners (and Shepley Bulfinch as executive architect), returns lost green space to the adjacent grounds in deference to Frederick Law Olmsted’s original 1893 design. At the existing central brick building, Silman designed a new system of steel braced frames that were installed just inside the existing masonry bearing walls, creating structurally thin trussed walls on the north and south sides of the east and west wings. The new jewel box additions on either side are made up of steel framed composite slab construction with reinforced concrete walls.