The beauty of the Lacoste Library
Written by Madisyn Welborn. Photo by Madisyn Welborn.
There are plenty of things to love about SCAD Lacoste, but the library is at the top of the list. Located in the upper village, at the joint of Rue Saint-Trophime and Rue du Four, the library originally functioned as a traditional three-story stone boulangerie built in the 1840s. (For those not immersed in French culture, a boulangerie is a bakery that often sells fresh bread, pastries, pies and more.) Not only are boulangeries a hub for gathering flour-based treats, but they’re also recognized as a meeting spot for friendly conversations and catching up with the community.
Since then, the structure has been artistically transformed into the perfect study lounge and a reading haven for students residing on campus. The renovations, led by Glenn E. Wallace Jr. and Kate Firebaugh, have been described by President Wallace as, “a noteworthy example of coordinating historical integrity with contemporary life.” Particularly striking, the shell of a large bread oven and the building’s front signage remain from the original boulangerie. While the bread oven in the front main room might seem out of place in a basic library, it’s a perfect touch of historical character in the village of Lacoste.
Photos by Madisyn Welborn.
The inside walls of the building are stacked with books covering the region of Provence, the artistic masters of France, majors at SCAD and more. There’s a maze of rooms and stairways leading to countless unique rooms, and some spaces are cozy corners perfect for getting individual work done while others contain large tables for group projects and joint study sessions with friends.
Up the stairs, between the second and third floors, is my favorite feature of the building; a stunning terrace merges the two sides of the building and includes a perfect view of the neighboring village Bonneiux and the fields below. During the day, the view is french and picturesque but at night when stars flood the endless sky, the terrace is truly magical. Regardless of the nook you choose to read, sketch, edit or study, the hours spent within the library are sure to be some of the most french-feeling on campus.
