DIGroup Architecture is leading the redesign and renovation of Stockton University’s Richard E. Bjork Library in Galloway. — Rendering courtesy: DIGroup
By Joshua Burd
The renovation of Stockton University’s main library in Galloway is taking shape as part of a $19.5 million project spearheaded by DIGroup Architecture.
The firm, which is based in New Brunswick, said it completed a programming concept for the Richard E. Bjork Library in 2022 and is now managing the design phase ahead of an expected fall 2026 completion. Plans call for a reconfigured wing that will create three stories with layers of student collaboration, a café, student advisement, tutoring, career development, technology and media recording and editing studios, as well as a quiet study and a special collections archive and gallery.
Stockton is redesigning and refreshing the 60,000-square-foot E-Wing Library with funding from the 2022 New Jersey state bond solicitation for higher education.
“The Bjork Library renovation was driven by a commitment to anticipate the evolving way modern students learn and collaborate,” said Jaime Masler Beach, a DIG associate principal. “Our design successfully implements a logical relationship between different study zones, from quiet reading rooms to collaborative and café spaces, offering a variety of options for student engagement and study.”
She added: “The new circulation core activates the entire space, offering a physical connection that is both functional and intuitive for everyone who uses it.”
Central to the project is DIG’s collaboration with students, faculty and other stakeholders at Stockton to assure space needs were met, that key design features were appropriately planned and, when necessary, that acoustical separation was specified, according to a news release. That parallels another higher education project, at Hofstra University on Long Island, where the firm oversaw the newly completed renovation of the campus library’s ninth floor.
Led by Graf & Lewent Architects, a studio of DIG, the work at the Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library follows the successful redesign of the 10th floor just over a year ago, keeping student learning and community at the forefront for the school’s 10,680 students.
“Following well-received renovations on the 10th floor, we initiated a student-led focus group for the ninth floor,” said Howard Graf, a DIG principal and G&L co-founder. “Based on their input, we maintained the same look and color palette, bringing cohesion to the two floors.”
According to the firm, the design challenge for the ninth floor was to create varied group study and gathering spaces while avoiding a fragmented layout. G&L strategically placed private, individual rooms around the perimeter and utilized furniture systems to define open gathering spaces in the center.
“The open center areas allow for easy wayfinding,” Graf said. “Keeping the individual spaces at the perimeter and creatively using furniture to define the center prevents a confusing, disconnected floorplan. It also helps students navigate seamlessly.”
To brighten the space, the team added glass vision panels to perimeter doors, exposed the concrete ceiling slab in the center and minimized utilities, the news release said. In addition, the team incorporated a maple-finished wood grid to soften the design.
“Although this was a gut renovation, we were able to maintain and reuse the majority of the perimeter partitions from the previous offices as group rooms,” Graf added. “This reduced construction costs and minimized waste while meeting new needs. Most of the existing ductwork was reused and new LED lighting and controls added to maximize efficiency.”
DIG’s other clients in the higher education sector include Kean University, Union College of Union County, CUNY Bronx Community College, Kingsborough Community College, Touro University and Rutgers University’s Clinical Academic Building, among many others.
“Education fosters future opportunity,” said DIG’s Jeffrey Venezia, CEO and co-founding principal, who spearheads the firm’s higher education studio. “We understand that access to education is vital to growth and new pathways to success. When we can provide spaces that are functional, adaptable and comfortable for our education clients, we’re doing our part in bettering the community. Our experience navigating a university’s complex ecosystem ensures we deliver inspired places that promote scholastic and community achievement.”
