geisel library case study

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AD Classics: Geisel Library / William L. Pereira & Associates

• Written by David Langdon

The alien form of the Geisel Library at the University of California, San Diego seems befitting of a backdrop from a science fiction movie. The building occupies a fascinating nexus between brutalism and futurism that its architect, William Pereira , intrepidly pursued throughout his career. With its strong concrete piers and hovering glassy enclosures, the library beautifully occupies an ambiguous state between massiveness and levitation, as if the upper stories have only just been set into their base and can be lifted back out at any moment. The tension between these two conditions gives the library an otherworldly appearance and provides a startling statement about the generative and imaginative power of the architect.

While he is often stylized as one of the more under-appreciated shapers of 20 th century American architecture, Pereira enjoyed tremendous influence throughout the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1965, he was awarded the commission to build the library at UCSD due in part to his impressive history of eye-catching and inventive designs. The building was to be located at geometric center of the San Diego campus at the crest of a small canyon, arguably the university’s most prominent piece of real estate. The design needed to be a visually robust statement worthy of the location, and Pereira seemed to be the right man for the job.

To develop the schematic design for the library, Pereira analyzed and categorized dozens of university libraries by their massing, circulation, and programmatic arrangements. He theorized about which forms were more effective than others at providing certain functions that he valued, such as daylight in the stacks, the ability to browse the shelves, and the potential for future expansion.

Using rudimentary diagrams as the basis of his design, he theorized that partially submerging the library would allow maximum potential for expansion and would bury the elements of the library that were not necessary above ground. For the aboveground portion, he wanted access to emanate from a singular point at the ground level, with a central core connecting the different floors. The most logical shape for a library, he concluded, would therefore be a sphere, which could maximize daylight to the floors, provide a variety of flexible floor arrangements, and maintain an ideal central circulation system. Even though the spherical exterior was ultimately abandoned for this project, Periera preserved the underlying concept of a large middle floor with tapered, smaller floors below and above.

The resulting building is an eight-story structure with two submerged floors and six floors of varying sizes above ground level. The widest of the above ground levels occurs at the sixth floor, which is over two hundred feet wide. A solid core containing the stairs, elevators, and mechanical shafts runs throughout the building. While the “main” level is considered the first submerged level, the experiential center of the building is immediately above it at the forum level, where the building is at its thinnest and the massive overhangs of the floors above cast a heavy shadow over the outdoor plaza.

The tapered cantilevers above the plaza are supported by a simple but ingenious structural system consisting of sixteen massive concrete piers that rise out of the forum level and branch outward at 45-degree angles. They extend past the full width of the sixth floor and bridge the jagged edges of the enclosed spaces with a continuous, diagonal motion that meets the floor plates at their bottom edge. To prevent them from buckling outward under the stress transferred to them by the floors, each pier is connected to its opposite by over three hundred quarter-inch steel tie rods that counteract the gravitational forces.

At each aboveground level, giant sheets of plate glass coated in anodized aluminum provide light to the reading spaces and stacks within. The treatment of the windows allows them to reflect and sometimes blend in perfectly with the sky behind it. The color of the glass oscillates between dull grays, vibrant blues, and fiery yellows depending on the weather and time of day, creating a dynamic and ever-changing appearance. The treatment also allows the vast expanses of glass—38,000 square feet in all—to dematerialize into the sky, intensifying the levitating effect created by the unconventional configuration of the building.

As an icon of brutalism, the library has at times been subjected to the vitriolic criticism so commonly associated with the movement, even being named to a Reuters list of the “ Top 10 Ugly Buildings to Visit .” [1] However, while it seems obvious that the building belongs squarely within the brutalist tradition, the original design actually called for a modernist construction made entirely out of steel and glass. While this seems unconscionable given the severe character of the existing building, it wasn’t until cost-cutting measures were introduced that the structure was re-designed with concrete and re-located to the outside of the building. The success of the articulate brutalist language present in the current design, which incorporates Breuer -like flares at the bases of the piers and an intricate lattice system on the underside of the floor plates, reveals a remarkable material and syntactic versatility on the part of the architect.

Although the project may be misunderstood, for the vast majority of the UCSD community, the library is a cherished icon and the symbol of the campus. It is featured prominently on university recruiting materials, and was even briefly incorporated into the university’s logo . In 1995, the library was renamed in honor of Audrey Geisel and Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as “Dr. Seuss,” following a $20 million gift from their estate and the contents of their archives. And while the library may resemble nothing of colorful, lyrical architecture of the Who Houses, Pereira’s design expresses the same imaginative impulse that made so many people fall in love with the library’s new namesake.

[1] Casciato, Paul. “Travel picks: Top 10 Ugly Buildings to Visit.” 4 May 2012. Accessed 29 Sept. 2014 from http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/04/us-travel-picks-top-10-ugly-buildings-to-idUSTRE84314A20120504 .

• Architects: William L. Pereira & Associates
• Area Area of this architecture project Area:  176000 ft²
• Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  1970
• Photographs Photographs: Darren Bradley , Flickr user domc , Flickr user 3n , Flickr user brazilfox , Flickr user kevinsm329 , Flickr users SnaPsi, UC Irvine, and Thomas Hawk , Flickr user dankit

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Address: 9500 gilman drive.

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Geisel Library by William Pereira & Associates

The Geisel Library , designed in the 1960s by architect William Leonard Pereira, is renowned for its futuristic design reminiscent of the space age. Pereira, also known for projects like the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco , has given the library a distinctive architectural style that blends elements of brutalism and futurism. This has made the Geisel Library one of the most recognizable buildings in San Diego.

Geisel Library Technical Information

• Architects 1-4 : William L. Pereira & Associates
• Location: University of California San Diego , 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
• Client: University of California San Diego
• Topics: Brutalism , Concrete , Libraries , Pyramids
• Area: 16.350,93 m 2
• Cost: $ 5.4 million
• Project Year: 1968-1970
• Photographs: © ArchEyes, © Maciek Lulko

If I Bowdlerize adjectives to describe the proposed new library at San Diego I presume that golldarndest would describe the building that Pereira came up with to satisfy the programmed requirements. […] Obviously architects recently have been ivorried about stodginess of libraries, and have done violence to library needs in some of California’s efforts to overconie this stodginess. Pereira has dramatically done the aesthetic task within the scope of library needs. I wish I could talk with my hands on paper to describe the ‘sculptural, tour de force’ building being considered at San Diego. – Donald C. Davidson 5

The Geisel Library Photographs

History of the Geisel Library

The Geisel Library is named in honor of Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss) for their generous contributions to the library and their devotion to improving literacy. The Geisel’s were long-time residents of La Jolla , where UC San Diego is located.

William Pereira designed The distinctive original building in the late 1960s to sit at the canyon’s head. Built as part of the University of San Diego’s library system , the building has been described as hands holding a stack of books. The building gets its brutalist label from the raw concrete piers that support the building, angle, and extent outwards. The design is energetic as the changing façade varies from level to level and side to side. William Pereira & Associates prepared a detailed report in 1969. Pereira originally conceived a steel-framed building, but this was changed to reinforced concrete to save on construction and maintenance costs. This change of material presented an opportunity for a more sculptural design.

Architectural Design and Structure

The design of the Geisel Library was meticulously planned to allow for future expansions that would seamlessly integrate with the original structure. These potential additions were envisioned as terraced levels cascading down the canyon, deliberately designed to complement and not overpower the strong, geometric form of the existing library.

The building’s architectural brilliance lies in its ability to blend function with form: the two subterranean levels house essential library services, study spaces, and computer labs, while the tower itself, rising 110 feet (33.5 meters) above the canyon, contains the core of the library’s collections. The tower’s five upper stories provide individual and group study spaces, maintaining a dynamic and versatile environment for academic pursuits. The design reflects a thoughtful balance between the structural demands and the aesthetic vision, making the Geisel Library a masterpiece of modern architecture.

One unusual feature of the library is that the lower levels are numbered 1 and 2, and the upper floors are numbered 4 to 8. This has led to several fanciful explanations for why the third floor is apparently sealed off and not accessible from elevators or steps. One of the more popular stories is that the building’s design did not consider the eventual weight of books in the library. Hence, the third floor has been left empty, a common urban legend associated with many other university libraries at different times.

The “missing” third floor is actually the open/outside forum. There is no other third floor, blocked off or otherwise. It is made of reinforced concrete, and an emergency exit helps students from the 4-8 floors get out without going to the second floor. The “third floor” actually has two separate levels. The third-floor landings in the public stairwells open to the concrete platform outside the library, originally intended to be used for sculpture displays, acoustic music, impromptu outdoor conversations, an open public meeting area, and poetry readings.

The Geisel forum’s east side is literally and symbolically connected to Warren Mall by the Stuart Collection work  Snake Path , Alexis Smith ‘s 560-foot-long slate tile path that winds towards the library. Its route passes a giant granite  Paradise Lost and a small garden of fruit trees.

Cultural and Architectural Significance

The Geisel Library has become an enduring symbol of modernist architecture in the United States. Built when Brutalism was at its zenith, the library’s bold use of concrete and sculptural form made it a pioneering structure in the architectural landscape of the late 1960s. The building’s futuristic aesthetic, reminiscent of science fiction, reflected the era’s optimism and fascination with space exploration and technological advancement.

The library has since become an icon, not only for its design but also for representing the forward-thinking ethos of the University of California system. It serves as a visual metaphor for the quest for knowledge, with its ascending structure symbolizing the pursuit of intellectual heights. The building’s unique form, often likened to a spaceship or a stack of books, has inspired countless architects and designers, influencing the design of other university libraries and public buildings worldwide.

Moreover, the Geisel Library’s connection to Dr. Seuss adds a layer of cultural significance that transcends its architectural value. The library is a place of learning and a tribute to creativity, imagination, and the power of storytelling. This dual significance makes the Geisel Library a unique case study in the intersection of architecture, culture, and education.

Geisel Library Plans

The Geisel Library Image Gallery

About William L. Pereira

William Leonard Pereira (1909 – 1985) was an American architect from Chicago, Illinois, who was noted for his futuristic designs of landmark buildings such as the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. Remarkably prolific, he worked out of Los Angeles. He was known for his love of science fiction and expensive cars but primarily for his unmistakable architectural style, which helped define mid-20th century America’s look. His material of choice in creating his unique geometric forms was pre-cast concrete. Working in this medium, he could create his impressive facades by simply attaching them as panels onto the building’s steel frame.

• Technical Architect: Robert A. Thorburn
• Structural Engineer: Brandow & Johnston
• Electrical Engineer: Frumhoff & Cohen
• Construction Company: Neilsen Construction Co
• Extract from the original report of the building published by William Pereira & Associates. Quote by Donald C. Davidson, a University Librarian at the University of California at Santa Barbara
• Frampton, K. (2007). Modern Architecture: A Critical History (4th ed.). Thames & Hudson.
• Banham, R. (1986). Concrete Atlantis: U.S. Industrial Building and European Modern Architecture 1900-1925 . The MIT Press.

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Geisel Library

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The Geisel Library, the Brutalist Architecture of William Pereira

• First Online: 12 August 2021

Cite this chapter

• Cristiana Bartolomei 8 ,
• Falko Kuester 9 ,
• Eric Lo 9 ,
• Caterina Morganti 8 &
• Dominique Rissolo 9  

Part of the book series: Springer Tracts in Civil Engineering ((SPRTRCIENG))

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Brutalism is the broader architectural phenomenon during the 1960s and 1970s of an almost sculptural Modernism rendered in raw concrete, which had manifestations the world over. From the mid-twentieth century, this style rose in popularity before reaching its apex in the mid-1970s, after which it fell into disfavor. But it seems that things are now changing, with a renewed interest and appreciation for this once disparaged architectural style. Known for its use of functional reinforced concrete and steel, modular elements, and utilitarian feel. Brutalist architecture was primarily used for institutional buildings, such as libraries, courts, public housing and city halls. Imposing and geometric, Brutalist buildings have a graphic quality that is part of what makes them so appealing today. The word Brutalist does not come from the architecture’s fortress-like stature, but from the raw concrete it is often made from- béton brut . Emblematic of this architectural movement is the most iconic building within the University of California, San Diego campus: the Geisel Library. The Geisel Library was designed in the late 1960s by William Pereira.

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Bartolomei, C., Kuester, F., Lo, E., Morganti, C., Rissolo, D. (2022). The Geisel Library, the Brutalist Architecture of William Pereira. In: Bartolomei, C., Ippolito, A., Vizioli, S.H.T. (eds) Digital Modernism Heritage Lexicon. Springer Tracts in Civil Engineering . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76239-1_30

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Geisel Library

The Geisel Library, originally simply named the Central Library, was renamed in 1995. It was designed by William Pereira and is an eight story, concrete structure sited at the head of a canyon near the center of the campus of the University of California San Diego. The lower two stories form a pedestal for the six story, stepped tower that has become a visual symbol for the structure. Whatever its metaphorical connotation, its image is preserved and enhanced by the concept for the addition.

The building is named in honor of Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss) for the generous contributions they have made to the library and their devotion to improving literacy. The Geisels were long-time residents of La Jolla, where UC San Diego is located.

The building is featured in the UCSD logo and is the most recognizable building on campus. It is located in the center of the campus with Library Walk to its south, Thurgood Marshall College to its West and Earl Warren College to its East.

The library first opened in 1970. It was simply called the Central Library until a renovation was completed in 1993, when it was rededicated as the University Library Building. It was renamed "Geisel Library" in 1995.

The distinctive original building was designed in the late 1960s by William Pereira to sit at the head of a canyon. William Pereira & Associates prepared a detailed report in 1969. Considering the location, Pereira originally conceived of a spherical building resting atop a pedestal, with the structural elements on the inside. After several drafts of this ball-shaped design, the structural elements were deemed as being too space-consuming, and they were moved to the outside of the structure, essentially resulting in the current "lantern" design.

Pereira envisioned that future additions to the original building would form terraced levels around the tower base descending into the canyon. The tower is a prime example of brutalist architecture. It rises 8 stories to a height of 110 ft (33.5 m). The four upper stories of the tower itself house the SSHL and East Asia collections.

A photo of the building taken by Julius Shulman was used as the cover image for James Steele's chronicle of Pereira's career, called simply William Pereira.

The Library Addition, designed by Gunnar Birkerts in the early 1990s, was "deliberately designed to be subordinated to the strong, geometrical form of the existing library." Within its two subterranean levels are the other library sections as well as study spaces and computer labs.

• Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

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Home » Current Trends » UCSD Library

Geisel Library: A Bibliotheca Rooted in Brutalism

Last Updated -- July 6th, 2022

That’s an interesting clickbait headline to grab eyeballs, isn’t it? Now that we have your attention, we promise you’d be in awe by the end. The only catch – you’ve got to read !

So, is the image above a UFO? A concrete tree? Mind hands holding books? Or is it the Mind Flayer’s newest addition to the Upside Down? (We promise no Stranger Things spoilers ahead!)

Putting your curiosity to rest, this structure certainly doesn’t include aliens – only thousands of students pouring in and out to consume knowledge. What looks more like a space-age tower or a treehouse or a giant mushroom is the Geisel Library in San Diego. 

Don’t you love a library with oak desks, cosy chairs, the smell of old books, and large windows? Over the centuries, the architecture of athenaeums has undergone several evolutions. Libraries built during the mid-20th century were often a playground for architectural experimentation. The outcome? Sometimes regrettable, but perpetually ethereal. Evidently, the Geisel Library at the University of California, San Diego, falls in the latter category .  

2020 marked Geisel Library’s Golden Jubilee. Even after five decades, this beloved Brutalist architectural masterpiece symbolises the campus ethos. Designed by William Pereira in the late 1960s, the structure is an ingenious blend of Brutalist Architecture (raw concrete, no decoration) and Futurist Style . The library is perched on the edge of a canyon and might seem unusual in reality. As a symbol of Brutalism, the Geisel Library was subjected to controversy and was also included in the Reuters list of the Top 10 Ugly Buildings to Visit. However, it’s a window into a history-altering period of architecture. 

In this blog, we highlight how the Geisel Library challenged the stereotypical norms of architecture whilst tracing its history and design. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by UC San Diego (@ucsandiego)

Chronicling Geisel Library’s Days of Yore

Our spaceship is loaded. Let’s travel back in time to the Spring of 1964.

John Galbraith was appointed the second chancellor of the University of California San Diego. He immediately began lobbying for funds to create a first-rate library that would, in time, stand shoulder to shoulder with the stellar libraries at the Berkeley and UCLA campuses. 

In 1965, William Pereira was commissioned to find the ideal location and design the Central Library. After his exhaustive study produced 19 possible results, he and his team recommended a picturesque, wooded area in the centre of the campus that would allow the library to remain a symbolic landmark despite future developments. 

The Starchitect

“He built better than he knew” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

While he is often stylised as one of the most unconventional architects of 20th-century American architecture, William. L. Pereira left his mark during the 1960s and 1970s. He graced the cover of Time magazine in 1963 for his bold, futuristic space-age designs, notably the Theme Building at LAX airport and, later, San Francisco’s Transamerica Pyramid. UC Regents wanted something equally iconic for UCSD. The Geisel Library speaks volumes about William Pereira’s conviction to make it a reality. Like any iconic building, it is a joy to walk around in its entirety, look up along one of the concrete columns, and project yourself into the sky of knowledge. 

Designing the Geisel Library

“Pereira’s unique Brutalist Design became known worldwide, eventually leading to the University using the building silhouette as the official logo.”

Pereira and his team analysed dozens of university libraries by their massing, circulation and programmatic arrangements. Pereira was a bit of a Goldilocks when it came to designing . The UCSD Library was meant to be architecturally striking, but William Pereira made sure the circulation of light and air worked well for the people. He theorised that some design prospects were more effective at providing certain functions, such as daylight in the stacks, the ability to browse the shelves and the potential for future expansion. 

Periera concluded that an ellipse or flattened spherical shape would be the most functional to simultaneously house a large number of books and readers. Concerning future additions, the library could easily expand around the tower base descending into the canyon. 

The resulting library towers rose eight stories to a height of 110 feet, a five-level “spheroid” shape perched on top of sixteen 30-foot concrete columns which Pereira intended to call mind hands holding up books . 

The exterior of the building was initially envisioned in steel and glass. However, budgetary constraints at the time led to the substitution for concrete. The new design proved to be advantageous, and the building was characterised as a symbol of Brutalism. The architectural design incorporates Breuer-like flares at the piers and an intricate lattice grid on the underside of the floor plates. The robustness of materials, expressive geometric form, and syntactic versatility make Geisel Library an incredible timeless structure.

Spreading the Wings

Let’s fast forward to the 1990s.

With the growing student population and increased visitorship, the need to double the existing space became essential. Thankfully, Pereira’s original design allowed for the possibility of expansion in the future. Hence, in 1992, an underground addition began on the east, west and south sides of the building designed by architects Gunnar Birkerts and Buss Silvers Hughes & Associates. This addition intends to extend to the foundation of the strong, geometrical form of the existing structure with the use of glass while preserving the building’s original silhouette and ensuring ample natural light to the lower floors.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by UC San Diego Library (@ucsdlibrary)

After the expansion was complete, the UCSD Library was renamed Geisel Library in honour of Audrey S. and Theodor Seuss Geisel ( better known as Dr. Seuss) for their contributions.

What comes to your mind when you hear the Name Dr. Suess? We hope it’s the immortal children’s character from The Cat in the Hat

Atypical Art Installations

Geisel Library embraces the creative and whimsical nature of its design. 

1. Bronze Statue of Theodor Seuss Geisel

The building’s west side graces a life-size bronze statue of Theodor Seuss Geisel on the occasion of 100 birth anniversary. This inspiring sculpture by Lark Grey Dimond-Cates shows Geisel sitting at his desk while a towering “Cat in the Hat” looks over his shoulder. The library is now home to the Dr. Seuss Collection.

2. Carillon Chime

While viewing the sculpture, you may hear the carillon chime. It is an acoustic instrument which can be played live via keyboard from a small room on the library’s roof. The university carillonneur is operated by musician Scott Paulson, an alumnus and a library employee who takes requests and oversees the music commissioning program for the carillon.

3. Snake Path

Walk with us as we escort you to the Snake Path at Geisel Library.  A trail that proceeds from innocence to knowledge.

Here, the scales of the snake are hexagonal pieces of coloured slate .On the east side of the building is artist Alexis Smith’s Snake Path ( a part of the UC San Diego Stuart Collection) that winds its way toward the Geisel Library passing the monumental book and an Eden-like garden.

4. Read-Write-Think-Dream

The main entrance doors are emblazoned with the words READ – WRITE – THINK – DREAM by artist John Baldessari reminding students to contemplate the unexpected and envision new worlds.

Library for the Future

Pereire envisioned a Library that would “convey to future generations the idea of power and permanency of the knowledge contained inside it.” 

In five decades, the Geisel Library has evolved to keep pace with technological advances in library science, integrating innovative offerings to meet the diverse needs of students and researchers. It houses unique primary works in its special collection and archives. The UCSD Library has digital media labs, private study spaces and data and GIS labs for quantitative and qualitative geographical research. For future prospects, the building is gearing up for a public community space to enhance the user experience by creating collaborative spaces for learning.

The Geisel Library is a monumental building settled on the beautiful canyon ridge, the heart of the UCSD Campus. The astonishing design, combination of materials, and unique study spaces make it flexible in a way that will continue to be relevant in years to come. This iconic symbol of knowledge is rooted in tradition whilst serving as a beacon for tomorrow. 

An architectural masterstroke, the Geisel Library traces how San Diego County became a Mecca of science, technology and medicine in the early days of the space-age.

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The Geisel Library, the Brutalist Architecture of William Pereira

• January 2022
• In book: Digital Modernism Heritage Lexicon (pp.709-727)
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The Geisel Library, the Brutalist Architecture of William Pereira

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