Georgetown University
Booth Family Center for Special Collections Lauinger Library
The modernization of the Booth Family Center for Special Collections transforms the heart of Georgetown University’s archival and rare book program. Located within Lauinger Library, the 7,000-square-foot renovation provides purpose-built spaces— including a reading room, classroom, exhibition galleries, a reception area, and collaborative work zones—designed to support research, teaching, and the stewardship of priceless cultural materials.
The Center houses more than 150,000 rare books dating from the 15th century to the present, along with extensive manuscript collections in diplomacy, political science, American and European history, literature, and Jesuit education. Its archives—established in 1816, predating the university’s founding—hold materials dating as early as 1786, making Georgetown one of the earliest American institutions to create an enduring academic repository.
Engineering Environmental Systems that Safeguard Rare and Fragile Materials
Renovating an active library while protecting irreplaceable archival holdings required engineering solutions far more stringent than those used in conventional academic spaces. Paper-based materials expand and contract with changes in humidity, and repeated fluctuations can cause warping, mold growth, chemical deterioration, and long-term structural damage. To preserve the integrity of the collection, Mueller designed specialized mechanical, electrical, and fire protection systems uniquely tailored to archival environments.
Key components of Mueller’s engineered solutions included:
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A dedicated heating and cooling system capable of maintaining strict temperature stability within ±2°F
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Relative humidity control between 30% and 50%, maintained continuously, 24/7
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Independent HVAC zones separating the collections from surrounding library spaces
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Sensitive fire suppression systems designed for cultural institutions
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Upgraded environmental controls seamlessly integrated into the existing library infrastructure
These systems work in tandem to safeguard materials ranging from early Jesuit manuscripts and Victorian-era novels to African-American literature and rare imprints central to understanding religious, cultural, and political history.
A Research Environment Built for the Next Generation of Scholars
The renovated Booth Family Center enhances both preservation and accessibility. Secure shelving, controlled research environments, new classrooms, and modern exhibition areas create a welcoming academic setting for faculty, students, and visiting scholars. The improved mechanical systems dramatically elevate environmental reliability—ensuring that Georgetown’s most valuable cultural and historical resources remain protected for generations.
This project reflects Mueller’s deep expertise in designing complex archival and special-collection environments, where exacting engineering requirements directly influence the survival of materials that define an institution’s legacy.
Consulting Services
- HVAC Systems
- Electrical Power
- Fire Alarm & Detection
- Fire Protection
- Lighting Design
- Plumbing Systems
- Sustainable Design
- Value Engineering
Architect
Bowie Gridley Architects
Client History
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2024
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2024
Healy Hall, MEP & Infrastructure Study
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