The University of California, Berkeley is known the world over for so many things. Student peace protests during the 1960’s and 70’s are probably at the top of the list, but there are also many famous alumni. Gregory Peck attended Berkeley, as did Steve Wozniak and Gordon Moore. The reputation and history of the university often overshadow other aspects, such as architecture and design. Here, we intend to highlight the qualities of the Doe Memorial Library on the Berkeley campus.
Established in 1868, Berkeley is a public research university on a sweeping 6651 acre campus east of San Francisco Bay. Doe Library is a central figure on campus, and is named after its benefactor Charles Franklin Doe. The architecture is Classical Revival, sometimes regarded as neoclassical. Viewing from Memorial Glade, the Doe Library almost bears the appearance of a Greek parliamentary house. More than ten towering white columns rise to the low-peaked roof. Lush green grounds surround the building, enhancing its imperial white presence.
The main collection of volumes belonging to the Doe Library is not housed in the amazing above ground building, but actually below it. Four stories and 52 miles of shelving, all directly below the main reading hall, provide 24 hour access to the Gardener Stacks Collection for all students. Amid all those stacks are pockets of study spaces with free Wi Fi. Before the appearance of the underground Gardener Stacks, the above ground building stored the library’s inventory in what was lovingly referred to as the Doe Core. The Doe Core was an eight story central structure illuminated by day lighting and sky lights. Sadly, seismic upgrading meant the Doe Core had to be dismantled and books were moved down stairs.
The main study hall within the Doe Library is as tall and majestic as the outside of the building, and comparable to European university libraries in terms of its adornment. The broadly coved ceiling is lit via several stained glass skylights, and otherwise decorated with plaster carved rosettes within sunken squares. From one end of the study hall to the other, the walls are lined with three story high plate glass windows. Oak shelving along the bottom walls holds precious manuscripts and books, while the rest of the study hall is outfitted with over tables and seats enough to accommodate 400 students at a time.
Doe Library is largely unchanged in appearance since its construction at the beginning of the 20th century. Seismic upgrades have taken place, yet much of the structure and architectural design has remained intact. Perhaps it is that apparent predictability that has kept the Doe Library at the front of the load. As a research university, students often return to the campus during their professional lives. The Doe Library must be quite a comfort to them, considering the onslaught of younger generation students wandering the rest of the campus.
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