Linonia & Brothers Reading Room
The Linonia & Brothers Reading Room is often described as the living room of James Gamble Rogers’ 1931 Collegiate Gothic masterpiece, Sterling Memorial Library. Beloved by generations at Yale University, the “L&B” endears with its ornate Tudor-style decoration and cozy ambiance. Ours is L&B’s first-ever comprehensive interior renovation – a wealth of original detailing preserved, lost features restored, and modern building systems introduced with great care.
Despite more than ninety years of wear, tear, and ad-hoc repairs, much of the original architecture survived. We collaborated with local experts and craftspeople to establish the scope of conservation for the extensive wood, stone, metalwork (designed by Samuel Yellin) and plasterwork, taking care to not over-clean or over-repair. The completed project is refreshed but still looks its age, bearing marks that tell its story.
Archival materials revealed that key features had been lost. Partitions were removed to restore the entryway arches to their original open configuration, which allowed for the reinstallation of the room’s ornate pneumatic tube station. Herringbone tropical hardwood flooring (hibernating under wall-to-wall green carpet) was uncovered but unsalvageable, and was replaced with more sustainable oak. We worked with with artisans to painstakingly restore and replicate original furnishings, discreetly adding convenience power outlets in the process.
The project included comprehensive upgrades to all existing building systems, as well as the introduction of sprinkler coverage, and a modern ventilation system with air conditioning – all achieved without compromising the room’s character.
New custom area rugs throughout are patterned to mirror the ornate plaster ceilings.
Original light fixtures were painstakingly restored, refitted with LED and supplemented with discreet accent lighting. Non-historic light fixtures were replaced with replicas of original fixtures.
Yale Library, “L&B is Back”
Yale News, “Sterling Library’s L&B Room, a Campus Gem, Slated for Renovation”
Yale News, “Five Things to Know About…the L&B Room”
for Humanity – The Yale Campaign, “Restoring a Classic”
Yale Alumni Magazine, “Old Friend”
Photographs © Frederick Charles