Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, is the largest college for women in the United States and among the most highly respected in the world. Activities on the university campus revolve around the Neilson Library. The building dates back to 1909 and is set to be modernized to the latest ecological and technical standards in the course of one of the most comprehensive projects in the history of the college.
Two new wings, encased in a timber post and beam construction, are being added to the north and south sides of the existing building in this phase. Known as the “jewel boxes”, their rounded corners and curved panels of insulating glass combine with the high transparency of the extensions to create a contrast with the monolithic, historic main building and make it stand out. A fixed solar shading system around the circumference regulates the daylight and glare to create a pleasant working atmosphere in the interior.
