Georgia State University Library Project Wins 2024 Library Interior Design Award
ATLANTA – The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and the American Library Association (ALA) have recognized Georgia State University Library’s Study Commons with a 2024 Library Interior Design Award. This biennial award recognizes excellence in library interior design and promotes examples of extraordinary design reflected through innovative concepts.
The selected project is the Library North Study Commons, a 19,000 square-foot space tailored to the diverse needs of Georgia State’s students, faculty, and staff. The winning firm, PRAXIS3 Architecture + Multidisciplinary Design, led the design of the Study Commons, transforming a street-level parking lot into a modern, versatile area that improves the library’s ability to provide essential services and resources.
“We are honored to have our project recognized by IIDA and ALA,” said Dean of Libraries Jeff Steely. “With the Study Commons, we have created a safe and welcoming environment that better supports our students, faculty and staff. We are thrilled to be selected.”
“This competition celebrates the unique challenge of designing an essential yet diversified community space which fosters education and inspiration,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA. “These winning designs can influence the future of public and academic spaces. Through their work, they underscore the importance of cultivating an environment where knowledge, empowerment, and human connection convene.”
The GSU Library Study Commons was recognized in the Academic Libraries—30,000 Square Feet and Under category and one of just eleven projects selected for the design award. The winning projects will be honored at a celebration on July 29 during the ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego. The Best of Competition winner will be revealed during the celebration. Winners will be published in a future issue of American Libraries magazine.
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ABOUT GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
The Georgia State University Library houses over 1.7 million physical volumes, 778,000 ebook titles, 386,000 serial titles and 409 online databases. The libraries on each of the six campuses provide access to the expertise of librarians and staff dedicated to student success. Special Collections and Archives documents the history of the university, Atlanta and life in the South, with particular strengths in social change movements during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The 300,000 sq. ft. Atlanta Campus location offers seating for over 2,000, 67 group study rooms, an outdoor terrace and access to leading-edge computing and visualization technology. To learn more about the University Library, visit library.gsu.edu.
ABOUT PRAXIS3 ARCHITECTURE + MULTIDISCIPLINARY DESIGN
Founded in 1997, PRAXIS3 is an innovative, Atlanta-based architectural and multi-disciplinary design firm whose mission is to foster design excellence while providing client-responsive solutions. PRAXIS3 tackles each project as an exploration of ideas in the creative process, producing singular designs for clients in the Higher Education, Multi-Family/Mixed Use, Financial, Retail, Civic/Cultural, Workplace, and Adaptive Reuse sectors. With a team of 75, including architects, quality control directors, interior designers, and graphics designers, we bring a holistic design approach to our contributions to the built environment. We believe that a broad range of design skills strengthens the team, providing a diversity of perspective in practice not usually found in specialized or single-discipline firms. The PRAXIS3 process ensures that projects will meet the client’s creative, functional and financial goals.
ABOUT IIDA
IIDA is the commercial interior design association with global reach. We support design professionals, industry affiliates, educators, students, firms, and their clients through our global network of members across 58 countries. We advocate for advancements in education, design excellence, legislation, leadership, accreditation, and community outreach to increase the value and understanding of interior design as a profession that enhances business value and positively impacts the health and well-being of people’s lives every day. IIDA.org.
ABOUT ALA
The American Library Association (ALA) is the oldest and largest library association in the world, providing association information, news, events, and advocacy resources for members, librarians, and library users. Founded on October 6, 1876, during the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the mission of ALA is to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services, and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.