Doheny - Grade: A PDF

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architecture essay...

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The Doheny Memorial Library is a central part of campus donated by Edward L. Doheny, which has become a landmark in USC. Knowing the history behind the building only further emphasizes exactly what makes this building so special and stand out in comparison with the others. While I hadn’t known at the time that this was the reason for the name, I have recently learned that the library was built as a memorial for Doheny’s son who had been shot. Given that the building was constructed in the earlier 1900’s means the structure of buildings isn’t as modern as those being built now, but the inside of the building is beyond comparable to anything else. Immediately upon walking into Doheny, I felt like I was in Hogwarts. The library’s interior looks extremely old fashioned, with a high roof and tinted windows. The dark golden lighting is slightly mysterious, and the walls are wrapped and filled entirely with rows and rows of books that never appear to end. There are books about anything you could imagine making it so easy to get lost in it. The old vibe given by the library’s interior and books all around makes it feel like you’re being transported into the past, an era which focused more on learning. The library is always extremely silent and is perfect for those who really need to focus on their studies. The main study room doesn’t have electronics or outlets anywhere in sight, and the long wooden tables, marble checkered floors, and wooden chairs really only add further to the feeling of entering into a different time. Inside of Doheny are several smaller study areas, which are basically libraries inside of libraries which each give off a slightly different vibe in the way they are decorated and really allow you to find an environment where you feel comfortable, all surrounded by books which only further encourage work to be done. The bathrooms in Doheny are hidden away and are actually located in the basement rather than on the main floor. To my assumption, this is due to

the fact that the bathrooms are only a distraction to the learning being done in the library, where each remote sound of noise radiates and echoes through the room. For this reason, it is imperative that when entering you don’t make any noise to distract anyone else from their work. Feeling like you’re being transported into the past in the silence only encourages further growth and interest in learning. The books surrounding the library are filled with so much information that you will never run out and will always leave you wanting more. The interior of Doheny library strictly contrasts the rest of the architecture on campus, providing a sort of safe haven for those who really want to study, with a silent but still welcoming atmosphere for those who want to learn more....