Artist Biography
Catherine Mahan is a Fifth year student currently working towards a Masters of Arts in Interior Architecture. After falling in love with design as a child she decided to pursue a career focused on creativity. Throughout her undergraduate degree she has found herself drawn to public work projects and strives to create designs that are used by all, not just those who can afford it. After graduating Catherine will be relocating to the North Shore and beginning to work in Boston as a Junior Designer.
Thesis Abstract
This project explores the history of the public library and how classical philosophical ideas can revitalize these public spaces. The research found that libraries have long been used to share knowledge, however it was not always free to all. Present day libraries have outgrown their previous predecessors and need spaces that cater to their growing needs in order to support their communities. Through exploring the uses of a Greek agora this library interprets that use into a community focused space that allows for knowledge sharing through multiple media. This research explores how libraries can position themselves as a modern-day agora through the analysis and interpretation of classical philosophical and architectural theories.