Apathetic Lemming of the North: Geisel Library: University of California, San Diego's Big Glass Landmark

"UC San Diego's Geisel Library Named Among 25 Most Modern Libraries in World"
UC San Diego Libraries (July 21, 2008)

"Iconic Flagship Building is One of Only Two Academic Libraries Worldwide to Make the List

"Geisel Library, the University of California, San Diego's main library building, has been named one of the 25 most modern libraries in the world. The distinctive modernist building, which resembles a hovering spaceship, was noted—along with the others on the list compiled by www.bestcollegesonline.com—for 'sleek architecture and the latest technology.'

"Geisel Library was designed in 1970 by architect William Pereira, who was renowned for his futuristic, space-age designs, including the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. The reinforced concrete and glass library building, which houses four of the university's nine libraries, rises eight levels above the ground in an inverted pyramid...."

No question about it: that's a library with a distinctive shape.

I'm not convinced that it's the most efficient design for a library: but it sure does look impressive. From the photos, it looks like folks using the library have to climb at least one level's worth of steps, just to get to the first working floor of shelving: but I suppose part of the collection could be stored in the pedestal.

Or maybe there are escalators. Or elevators.

Still: that's a highly distinctive, and memorable, design.

More photos, from Dan Hyde at Bucknell University: