PORTFOLIO

About

The Mary Evelyn Blagg-Huey Library, originally constructed in 1982 is a Colonial revival, 4-story structure of approximately 138,000-square-feet. The project generally consists of remodel and expansion of all restroom cores, redesign of the fire stairs and exits to include compliant areas of rescue assistance, exit width capacity and railings for stairs and the main rotunda, new doors and compliant hardware, newly defined accessible route to the main entrance from the visitor parking area, site work to include additional ADA compliant staff parking, and the relocation of light switches, telephones, and the fire alarm system.

Texas Woman’s University wanted a unique, and yet, cost-effective solutions to working exit deficiencies. The State Fire Marshal had suggested the addition of an additional exit (stair) at the front of the building. Sterling Barnett Little, Inc. was faced with the challenge and created a design solution that was not only aesthetically enhancing to the university facility, but highlighted the design strength and character of the firm’s unique ability to extend an “Out-of-the-box” solution to address the State Fire Marshal’s requirements while maintaining ADA compliance and fire safety. SBL created internal exit passageways and areas of rescue assistance that met the requirements, and saved approximately $900,000.