In Today’s universe, Beinecke is nicknamed the “jewelry box” symbolizing the opaque safety box nature that encapsulates the precious rare books and symbolizing the knowledge held by Yale.
Flipping the switch, in a new universe the “jewelry box” now becomes the symbolic “crown jewel.” The fragile structure sits on the site paying reference to the original location and its surroundings by getting close, but touching nothing. Taking up half of the original volume mass, the library becomes a piece of jewelry, dressing Yale for extravagance.
Unlike before, the books are now held in an underground vault, accessible from the building next to it on site (woodly hall). This storage vault is never seen above, but is mimicked by a floral cave paying homage to the outdoor sculpture gallery of the existing Beinecke.
As you make your way up the building, you can see an outdoor study or reflective space, underneath a canopy of porcelain flowers.
And as you make your way back down and view the jewel from the site of the cave, the fragile jewel of Yale calls the existence of the fragile book collection held below, wile gracefully exposing this knowledge as a porcelain sculpture for all to view.
instructor: Hernan Diaz Alonso and Rachael McCall