Criss Library, University of Nebraska-Omaha

What began as a massive, dark box of a building on Dodge Street was transformed into a striking campus icon. Daily visitors went from 2,000 to 7,000 after the renovation was complete. The project included a centrally-located student lounge with a coffee house atmosphere, a sunken landscape garden that pours light into the first floor, and a wide variety of study spaces. The expansion also included increased stack space, a new freight elevator, and storage and mechanical space.