Mills Library Recladding

WORKSHOP lead the design to renew the building envelope for McMaster University’s Mills Memorial Library in Hamilton, Ontario.

EXTERIOR RENDERING WITH NEW SOLAR SHADES AND CURTAIN WALL.

The scope of this study was initially focused on investigating options to replace the existing curtain wall, limestone screens, and basement solar screens.

ELEVATION STUDY.

INTERIOR PHOTOCOLLAGE WITH NEW EXTERIOR SOLAR SHADES.

The renovation was later expanded to include a holistic review of the building envelope with the objective of decreasing carbon emissions within the campus-wide “New Zero Carbon Roadmap” initiative, which aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions on campus by 2050.

PHOTO OF EXISTING SCREEN CONDITION

The original limestone solar shading is failing and cannot be repaired or replicated. Therefore, the screen designs were given a new visual expression working within the existing façade proportions.

PHOTO OF EXISTING BUILDING

“The library is a mid-century architectural gem located at a prominent entrance to the campus. Therefore we felt it was important to honour its original massing but also insert a new dimension.”
— Nina Hitzler

MILLS LIBRARY, circa 1963.

Client: McMaster University
Location: Hamilton, Ontario
Date: 2022
Team: David Colussi, Nina Hitzler, and Luke Rivet

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Workshop

Mills Library Recladding

WORKSHOP lead the design to renew the building envelope for McMaster University’s Mills Memorial Library in Hamilton, Ontario.

“The library is a mid-century architectural gem located at a prominent entrance to the campus. Therefore we felt it was important to honour its original massing but also insert a new dimension.”