Un-Vaulting the Archive

In downtown Manhattan, the project examined how spatial language such as arches and vaults can redefine accessibility and inclusivity in architecture. The design drew from the expressive power of arches: from grand, vaulted halls to intimate, catacomb-like reading spaces. Using scale and rhythm to create a spectrum of experiences and reinterpreting the traditional monumentality of the library — often associated with prestige and exclusivity — the project sought to democratize elegance, offering refined architecture for all.