Health Sciences Library Space Planning Project

Health Science Library Space Planning Project

Project Team

PI & Supervisor: Dr. Altaf Engineer, Associate Professor, School of Architecture
Co-PI and Project Manager: Dr. Sandra Bernal, Lecturer, School of Landscape Architecture
Co-PI and Advisor: Dr. Bo Yang, Associate Dean for Research
GRA: Sadia Tasnim and Asif Hasan Zeshan
Student worker: Kimberly Ayala

UA Partners

Health Sciences Library: Annabelle V Nunez, Interim Director
UA Libraries: Tara Radniecki, Associate Dean
Health Sciences Library: Mikel Bates, Building Manager
Health Sciences Library: Jerry Flanary, Operations Manager
University of Arizona Planning, Design & Construction: Brian Brandis, Project Manager

Project Details

Where:

The project took place at the Health Sciences Library (HSL), located at 1350 N Warren Ave., Tucson, Arizona, on the University of Arizona campus.

When: 2022 - initial research and engagement began.

Phase II: May 2024 - architectural refinement and visualization phase.
Phase III: Began May 19, 2025 - development of the design rationale and preparation for implementation.
(The project is currently in the cost estimate stage.)

Theme: The central theme of the project is inclusive, student-centered, and future-ready design, reimagining the library as an adaptive, accessible, and collaborative learning environment that aligns with the University of Arizona’s sustainability and design standards.
It emphasizes:

Spatial clarity and flexibility
Accessibility and universal design
Participatory and user-informed planning
Integration of sustainability and innovation into institutional design

Read the full publication

Project Overview

The Health Science Library (HSL) at the University of Arizona began a comprehensive transformation in 2022 to modernize its three-story facility and reestablish its role as a central academic resource for students, faculty, and staff in the health sciences. The renovation was initiated in response to declining in-person engagement and the need to align the library’s physical environment with contemporary academic and technological expectations. The project was structured around three design proposals—minimal, medium, and top-tier interventions—each reflecting a different scope of spatial reconfiguration and cost. These proposals served as the foundation for a participatory design process that emphasized user input and institutional alignment.

Greater Project Description

The Health Science Library renovation embodies a forward-thinking approach to inclusive, student-centered design, ensuring the facility evolves alongside the needs of the academic health sciences community. With a focus on spatial clarity, accessibility, and adaptability, the project enhances the user experience while aligning with the University of Arizona’s Manual of Design and Specification Standards. Each architectural and systems intervention is meant for compliance and will be coordinated with UA Planning, Design, and Construction, transforming regulatory requirements into opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and long-term functionality.

Phase I of the project focused on research and engagement. It included a series of student surveys, observational studies, and two participatory design charrettes—one of which used a gamified format called “Libraropoly” to collect feedback on space use, aesthetics, and sound preferences. Stakeholders from across the university, including HSL administrators and UA Libraries leadership, participated in charrette number two to evaluate and prioritize design strategies. This phase also integrated institutional codes and accessibility standards to ensure compliance and feasibility. The culmination of Phase I was a decision to consolidate the three proposals into a single, unified design plan that combined the most favored elements from each scenario.

Phase II, launched in May 2024, focused on translating the consolidated design into a refined architectural package. This included updated floor plans based on as-built conditions, the reallocation of book stacks, and improvements to accessibility and circulation. The design team produced a series of pre-rendered visualizations and presentation materials to support stakeholder review and fundraising efforts. A key milestone in this phase was the presentation, which compared existing and proposed layouts, detailed demolition plans, and introduced critical updates such as a new main entrance, flexible event space, and expanded study areas. Multiple design meetings were held throughout this phase to refine spatial layouts and finalize the visual direction of the renovation.

Phase III officially began on May 19, 2025, and centers on the development of a comprehensive design rationale. This narrative document articulates the reasoning behind key design decisions, including material selections, spatial organization, and structural adaptations. It was requested by UA Planning, Design, and Construction to support cost estimation by an external firm and to prepare the project for implementation.

Project Impact

The Health Science Library renovation embodies a forward-thinking approach to inclusive, student-centered design, ensuring the facility evolves alongside the needs of the academic health sciences community. With a focus on spatial clarity, accessibility, and adaptability, the project enhances the user experience while aligning with the University of Arizona’s Manual of Design and Specification Standards. Each architectural and systems intervention is meant for compliance and will be coordinated with UA Planning, Design, and Construction, transforming regulatory requirements into opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and long-term functionality.