Opened in 1931, Sterling Memorial Library is one of Yale University’s most prominent buildings and the largest of all the Yale libraries. This interior renovation project included the construction of new classrooms, meeting rooms, offices and collaboration areas on the entry floor, classrooms on the first floor, and alterations to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Code Red Consultants worked closely with the design team to develop strategies for egress, plumbing, and accessibility compliance, which can be challenging with small renovations in older buildings. The firm successfully presented a compliance alternative, which was approved by the Office of State Building Inspector, to address existing building constraints that made strict compliance impractical in this historic building.

Code Red Consultants also worked closely with Yale and the design team to develop a security strategy that met the University’s needs and maintained a compliant life safety strategy. The plumbing fixture approach that was developed by the firm helped to avoid unnecessary plumbing upgrades, a strategy that resulted in cost savings for the client.

Haverford College is working with Perry Dean Rogers Partners Architects on the renovation and expansion of Magill Library to create a center for campus life with a 21st century teaching, research, and academic focus. The library is an intricately complex and varied structure constructed over four eras (1864-1898, 1912, 1941, and 1967) and listed on the historic registry of the Haverford Township Historical Commission. The historic parts of Magill Library will be preserved while a major portion of the existing building will be demolished and replaced with a new addition. The Magill Library closed at the end of the fall 2017 semester and will reopen as the Lutnick Library when construction is complete.

Code Red Consultants developed a comprehensive code report, prepared life safety plans, and coordinated with the design team and Authorities Having Jurisdiction on all code compliance facets of the project. The firm discovered that the older portions of the library building were significantly deficient as related to code compliance. Code Red Consultants evaluated the existing building and helped the design team develop approaches to bring the facility into compliance with current codes. The design required structural adjustments to the remaining parts of the building to re-orient the library and accommodate the building program.

The new library will feature technologically robust spaces, active teaching and learning spaces, a Digital Scholarship Commons, a significantly enhanced Quaker & Special Collections area, collaborative group study rooms, and a café.