The Stacks/FLB/Smith

Last Thursday was a good day. We got to enjoy the nice weather around campus and see not one, not two, but THREE amazing work of architecture, all headed by our renowned professor Mr. Hinders. Amazing. We got to start at the Graduate library, where I was able to see the stacks for the first time in my life. Let me tell you, it was quite an experience.
The stacks are carefully guarded by a pair of students and a couple older librarians. You must have your iCard to check in, and no bags are allowed it. This is supposedly to prevent theft of the valuable and ancient materials that lie just beyond the corridor. Inside we were able to see remnants of what the stacks used to look like, which had cast iron shelves. These actually doubled at the supports of the actual structure of the building. Pretty amazing. But if you go farther in, they are just regular metal shelves that are controlled by an automatic moving system so that more books can be fit into a smaller space. However, the mechanical system seemed to not be fully functional when Professor Hinders tried to use it. The space had low ceilings, and was probably seemingly more cramped than it was due to the fact that I knew how much information was actually stored there.
The Foreign Language Building was quite different, and served a much different purpose than the Main Library. First off, the FLB is quite ugly in my opinion. As Professor Hinders described it, it looks like an upside-down ziggurat. He theorized that the architect wanted to symbolize a reversal of the Tower of Babel, as was in the Bible. So instead of trying to reach up to God, the upside-down pyramid shape allowed for more light to come in from the large windows at the top to shine below on us, in essence, letting God in to give us more knowledge. What a good story. Even disregarding the biblical reference, the inverted shape makes it feel as though the entirety of knowledge of the world is coming in to a small space so we can learn from other cultures. But really, the building is just not pleasant to look at. But, at least I pulled some symbolism out of it.
Finally, we hit Smith hall. Another music building. That is where I auditioned for the Varsity Men's Glee Club senior year. The building is very romantic feeling once you walk inside. But there is much more to it than just walking inside. First, you pass through columns. Then you pass into a small entryway. Then, you are in a much larger hall with the main concert hall just ahead of you, yet you are still separated from it by another passageway. It made it seem like quite a process to get into the place where the arts were being performed or held. I thought it was an interesting choice of architectural environment.