The courtyard at the center of Building 14 is being renovated concurrently with Hayden Library, extending the welcoming community space of the library into the outdoors. Longtime hopes for renovating this underutilized space have been given new life with a design concept from Kennedy & Violich Architecture (KVA), architects of the library renovation, working in collaboration with Stephen Stimson Associates Landscape Architects. Both renovation projects are expected to be complete at the same time later this year.

“This is a terrific opportunity to transform a prime campus location into a beautiful, oasis-like space unlike any other on campus,” said Libraries Director Chris Bourg. “KVA’s design makes thoughtful connections between inside and out and will provide a welcoming outdoor space for the MIT community to pause and recharge.”

KVA’s design considers how the MIT community can use this valuable campus space in all seasons, creating a new enclosed porch area that will provide year-round community space, with a wall of doors that can open to the garden. Two new accessible entrances and a stone walkway that winds throughout the courtyard will create access for all visitors to enjoy a lush new landscape design featuring nine new trees.

“In reimagining the future of Hayden Library, the team at KVA was very excited to rediscover the courtyard as a green space in three dimensions with trees, sculptural plantings, and a new front porch,” said Sheila Kennedy, founding principal of KVA and professor of architecture in MIT’s School of Architecture and Planning. “It will be one of the very special places at MIT where people can be close to trees and plants as a natural extension of the campus experience.”