From Box to Anti-Box: the Berkeley Library at 50

An exhibition curated by Donal Hickey

 

Berkeley Library, 1967

 

This exhibition marks the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Berkeley Library in Trinity College, undoubtedly one of the finest modern buildings on this island. Drawing on the archival resources of the Irish Architectural Archive, in particular the Ahrends Burton Koralek Architects collection, as well as the resources of TCD, and further afield, exhibition curator Donal Hickey seeks not only to unpick the evolution of the design of the Berkeley but also to set it in its broadest context.

A collaboration between the Archive and the Library of Trinity College Dublin, the exhibition is part of the Berkeley50 year of celebrations. 

 

Competition-winning scheme, Paul Koralek, 1961

 

Paul Koralek was just 28 when he won the international competition in 1961 for a new library building in Trinity College and the exhibition includes the original letter sent by J.V. Luce, Professor of Classics at Trinity and the library competition registrar, informing him of his victory. Luce, clearly unaware that the winner was living in a bed-sit in New York while working for Marcel Breuer, casually wonders whether Koralek has an office in London as well as New York.

 

Developed Scheme, Paul Koralek, December 1961

 

 

The exhibition explores the evolution of the architecture of the Berkeley Library from Koralek’s competition-winning entry to the as-built structure.

 

Reinforcement links in 13 inch column, June 1964

 

Included are copies of the competition-winning scheme, of the ‘Developed Scheme’, December 1961, and of the final scheme which emerged between 1962 and 1963, as well as original drawings and sketches reflecting the architect’s thinking at various points in the development of the design. Also featured is a set of 284 construction photographs recording the building process from January 1964 to October 1966, while a centrepiece of the exhibition is a model of the building newly-commissioned thanks to the generous support of a Trinity alumnus.

 

‘Top light at F/14 – first one to be cast’, July 1964

 

Hickey has also looked to other material including publications, photographs and models, to provide a context – internationally and locally – for the Berkeley Library and its architecture.

 

 

Entrance front from roof of Rubrics, August 1966

 

The full catalogue of the exhibition is available here: https://iarc.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Berkeley-IAF-Pamplet-FINAL.pdf

The exhibition runs in the Architecture Gallery of the Irish Architectural Archive from Thursday 12 October 2017 to Friday 12 January 2018. The Architecture Gallery is open to the public from 10am to 5pm, Tuesdays to Fridays.

 

Curation 
Donal Hickey
Donal Hickey Architects

Research
Donal Hickey
Donal Hickey Architects
Dr Elen Rowley 
UCD School of Architecture

New Library Model:
The model was made possible by a generous donation from a TCD alumnus
Designed and made by Donal Hickey with the assistance of:  
Ronan Costelloe
Kieran Costelloe
Jason Ladrigan
David Mc Carthy
Michael Weir
Kenneth Mason

Laser Cutting and CNC Machining
Michael Mohler  SNOW
Jeff White The Laser Company 

Model Base in Bronzed Brass
Vincent Byrne 
Church Art Metals 

Photography
Berkeley Photo Essay
Paul Tierney
Courtesy of Dublin City Council. © Paul Tierney Photography and the Twentieth Century Architecture research project. 

New Drawings and drawings for model making
Donal Hickey
Jason Ladrigan
David Mc Cathy
Michael Weir
Simon Maybury
Conor McBride
Rory Mc Donald
Kenneth Mason

Archival Material 
BBC Archives
Irish Architectural Archives
Manuscripts Library Trinity College Dublin
John Donat Collection RIBA Archives.
UCD School of Architecture Library
DIT Library Bolton Street 
Royal Institute of British Architects 
MOMA NY USA 
The Louis I Kahn Archive Pennsylvania USA
The National Trust UK.
Bodleian Library Oxford UK
The Architects Journal  

Sponsors
Trinity College Dublin
Donal Hickey Architects

Drawings 
Mc Cullough Mulvin Architects
MOB Architects [Moloney O’Byrne]
Manuscripts Library Trinity College Dublin
Irish Architectural Archives
Donal Hickey Architects

Photographs
Manuscripts Library Trinity College Dublin
John Donat Collection RIBA Archives.
Donal Hickey 
Paul O’Brien – The Arcades London 
Gavin Buggy – La Tourette
Paul Tierney – The Berkeley Library
The Architects Journal
Dublin City Council
The National Trust UK
MOMA NY 
Louis I Kahn Archive University of Pennsylvania
Manuscripts Library Trinity College Dublin
UCD School of Architecture 
Bodleian Library Oxford UK

Poster & Photo Editing
Cathal Behan 
Paul Tierney.