The historic Gould Memorial Library rotunda, a masterpiece designed by Stanford White in the late 19th century, has been reborn through a meticulous re-lighting project by CBB. This 70-foot-high rotunda, with its majestic coffered dome, now welcomes visitors with a renewed sense of grandeur and elegance.

Before the renovation, the space was bathed in the harsh, yellow-grayish glow of high-pressure sodium lighting fixtures, which diminished the rotunda’s beauty and made it less than ideal for viewing and events. CBB’s innovative approach transformed this space, collaborating with a manufacturer to create custom lensed fixtures with frosted diffusers. These fixtures not only mitigated glare but also widened the beam spread, highlighting the intricate details of the dome and the sculptures adorning the balcony.

The original design of the rotunda had been illuminated by a skylight, but this natural light source was later obscured by an opaque ceiling. Respectful of the landmark’s architectural integrity, CBB’s design introduced new pendant fixtures that were carefully hung from the catwalk above the plaster ceiling. These fixtures were dropped through set openings, ensuring they remained below the ceiling plane, thus preventing overheating and facilitating easy maintenance access.

The renewed lighting has revitalized the rotunda, making it a safe, dimmable, and dramatically illuminated space. Visitors can now fully appreciate the historic grandeur of this Beaux Arts landmark, with every detail of its soaring architecture and beautiful sculptures bathed in a warm, inviting light. This restoration is not just a technical achievement but a celebration of the past, a tribute to the vision of Stanford White, and an inspiration for the future. The Gould Memorial Library rotunda once again stands as a beacon of cultural and historic significance, its beauty illuminated for generations to come.