Haven

Junior | Spring 2020

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CONCEPT STATEMENT

The Rundel Central Library’s secret room holds important cultural and historical context to Rochester. Currently, this secret room preserves this history, but the magic of the room has been lost. The goal of this design is to maintain the history of the room, while creating a flexible multi-use space. Haven’s design revives the magic through its lively and calming scheme, the integration of geometrically organic forms, as well as reflecting Rochester’s past.

SITE HISTORY

The Secret Room was entered through a concealed bookcase, from the second-floor Children’s Library, arousing a sense of magic and mystery. The child-size space was host to story hours, holiday parties, and a collection of dolls from around the world. The George W. Cooper Doll Collection, added to the room in 1940, was donated by teachers and students from School 43. The school had collected dolls from all over the world through a “doll” exchange with organizations and other schools.

During the 1990s the Rundel Building was renovated, and the children’s library was moved across the street to the Bausch and Lomb Building. A new “Secret Room” was constructed in the B & L Building, still attracting children in search of the hidden doorway. It is approximately 800 square feet, has a wider doorway and other design changes to make it accessible to all users. It still houses the doll collection in glass cases around the perimeter of the room. Many school groups and other visitors come to the library specifically to see the dolls. The doll exhibits are used by second and third-grade educational programs to educate students about the world, different cultures, peace and friendship.