buchanan architecture completes o’donnell institute digital library in dallas
(above) lounge area showing cube in reflections
all images © james f. wilson
the ‘edith o’donnell institute of art history (o’donnell institute or EODIAH) is a 2,000 square foot space located within the existing dallas museum of art (DMA) in dallas, texas. The EODIAH is the first art history institute born in the digital era, and has state-of-the-art conservation resources, research tools, and digital platforms, providing unprecedented access to research and scholarship in the central U.S. for students, scholars, and the texas community at large.
lounge area with vitrine beyond
designed by buchanan architecture, programmatically, the facility has four private offices for visiting scholars; four smaller, semi-private study carrels for Ph.D. students; a receptionist area, a comfortable lounge area, and two seminar/teaching spaces. each space has direct access to a vast digital library network created for scholarly research in art history and curatorial sciences. the ‘o’donnell institute’ opens directly to the ‘mayer art library’ at the DMA and is designed as a meeting and research facility for the entire community of art historians.
primary conference room with acoustical wall beyond
architecturally, the ‘o’donnell institute’ facility is conceived as a geometrically rigorous space with an illuminated, central cube formed by a reflective ceiling to create the illusion of an expansive space. the idea is to create an alert and energetic space by using simple geometric forms supported by light and reflection. tailored detailing with an emphasis on craftsmanship is intended to respect the museum environment by providing a refined space for learning and interacting with fellow colleagues.
primary conference with cube in reflection
in plan, the ‘o’donnell institute’ is organized along two centerlines; one formed by the existing main entry to the space, the other by the connection to the existing mayer art library. centered on this intersection is a perfect 16 foot x 16 foot translucent square which houses four private offices and separates public activities from private and semi-private uses. at the entry vestibule, a low ceiling compresses the space before entering into the visually expansive lounge area. it is at this moment that the illusion of the central object is revealed as a perfect cube.
primary conference
the materials palette is deliberately narrow and monochromatic in order to create a neutral environment for looking at art. all of the materials, furniture, and construction methods used are highly sustainable and follow the guidelines outlined in the ‘american alliance of museums’ standards on environmental sustainability for museums. the ‘o’donnell institute digital library’ does not store any books. instead, it is a technological portal to an unlimited resource of data for scholarship and research in art history and curatorial sciences.
conference room
private offices for scholars
corner detail
corner detail
lounge space with study carrels beyond
project information:
project: o’donnell institute digital library
client: the edith o’donnell institute of art history – the university of texas at dallas
architect: buchanan architecture – russell buchanan, faia, gary orsinger, aia
graphics: nottestad design
general contractor: mcl construction
size: 2,000 square feet
cost: $400,000
photographer: james f. wilson
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edited by: juliana neira | designboom
