The library features a five-story atrium capped with a 60-ft by 80-ft skylight and anchored by a monumental musical stair. This structurally complex stair achieves a floating form with the help of a 64-ft-long W27x146 steel I-beam.

Through rapid coordination and research, the team sourced the beam and saw it delivered within three weeks, preventing schedule disruptions. Removing an existing basement beneath the south plaza required intricate coordination as well.

The design called for infill that would maintain structural stability while limiting lateral pressure on a 1950s-era basement wall. Crews placed 2,800 cu yd of lightweight cellular concrete in carefully sequenced lifts while working with limited access and strict weight limitations.