White oak from Zaleski State Forest was essential to the 2006-2009 renovation of Thompson Library. Designed by the Gund Partnership and Acock Associates Architects, the renovation sought to restore original building elements while updating for the 21st century. Original woodwork was restored where possible. Every piece of new white oak veneer and solid wood was hand-selected for the project. The Campus Reading Room on the 11th floor highlights the use of rift sawn veneer and solid trim. In the Grand Reading Room, white oak veneer and solid trim restored the room to its original 1913 appearance, and solid white oak lumber was used the construct the tables. In the Mortarboard Centennial Suite Reading Room, quarter sawn panels and solid trim respect the original design. As a backdrop for the West Atrium, the newly-created Buckeye Reading Room features towering curved white oak panels.
-
- Common Cuts of White Oak
-
- Watercolors of Thompson Library
-
- Grand Reading Room
-
- Mortarboard Centennial Suite Reading Room
-
- Campus Reading Room
-
- Buckeye Reading Room
-
- Tree Cookie
-
- Crossing Paths
Process Images courtesy of Adam M. Conway.
The lumber and veneer for the project was sawn, dried, sliced, sorted, and inventoried during the fall of 2007 and winter of 2008. It took the skilled work of hundreds of dedicated employees at Superior Hardwoods of Ohio, Inc. (selecting trees, sawing lumber), Industrial Timber and Lumber (kiln drying), Universal Veneer (slicing, processing veneer), and Custom Plywood (panel layup) to ensure that Mock Woodworking had the finest materials sourced and manufactured in the state of Ohio. Special thanks go to Bob Boyles (Deputy Director and Division of Forestry Chief, Ohio Department of Natural Resources) and Tom Shuman (Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry) for their knowledge and assistance during the harvest of white oak trees in the Zaleski State Forest.
Thompson Library Renovation Awards
- 2009 AIA Columbus Merit Award
- 2009 ABC Excellence in Construction Eagle Award
- 2009 Columbus landmarks Foundation James B. Recchie Design Award
- 2010 SCUP/AIA-CAE Excellence in Architecture Renovation/Adaptive Reuse Special Citation
- 2010 Architectural Woodwork Institute Standard of Excellence Award
- 2010 Society of College and University Planning, Architecture Awards, Citation for Design Excellence for Renovation or Adaptive Reuse
- 2011 AIA/ALA Library Building Award