The fifth Johnsonian principle is Structure and Rationality – structural clarity in planning. The Central Library’s Johnson Building is organized into a nine-section or nine-square grid. In the image above, the “A” section is the entrance to the building facing Boylston Street  and the “B” section is where the children’s room is currently located. The letters are used simply to identify each section of the nine-square grid.

Johnson’s words about structure and rationality include: “(At BPL) I kept the nine squares as the expression and did not try to put a façade on it. In other words, the nine squares were represented in all three facades.”

“Procession: Ascent” and “Scale: Respect & Experimentation” are also Johnson Principle highlighted in the design team’s research. Ascent is about celebrated vertical circulation. Johnson said, “But really, the atrium is not an atrium: it’s the center of nine squares. It’s the idea of communication, like McKim’s. My atrium isn’t as nice as his. Well, his is a court. Mine isn’t a court or even an atrium; it’s too small. It’s a stairwell. But it’s still an orientation point.” He also said, “I don’t remember where the elevators are hidden, but they’re meant to be hard to find; that way you’re compelled to take the stairs.”

Respect and Experimentation are about past and future. Johnson said, “My principle was that the cornice line is sacred; the material is sacred…we have to do modern scale…out of keeping… as long as it doesn’t insult McKim.”

The source for these quotes is the book Philip Johnson: The Architect in His Own Words.

Through careful analysis of  Philip Johnson’s words — he wrote and spoke extensively about his work — the William Rawn Associates architecture team has developed a process to ensure a respectful intervention that upholds the character and principles of Johnson’s original design.

Another Johnsonian Principle is “Procession: Moment of Arrival.”  Here’s what Philip Johnson had to say about its application at the Central Library in Copley Square: “We never did get the entrance straight. The requirements for security changed exactly at that moment, and I had none of those details as part of my design…”

One of the Johnsonian Principles highlighted in the design team’s research on architect Philip Johnson is “Procession: Anticipation.” Below are some things that Mr. Johnson said about his own work. A key source for many of these quotes is the book Philip Johnson: The Architect in His Own Words.

• “(The processional is) how space unfolds from the moment I catch a glimpse of the building until with my feet I have approached, entered, and arrived at my goal.”
• “In the original design there were no windows. That’s a bit grim.”
• “The board. They hated (the first design). It looked too much like an armory. You know, the medieval feel. My first design was more medieval, you see.”
• We had heard that those granite slabs in front of the windows on the first floor were designed as a reflection of the times, student unrest, you know. Is that true?
  “No, I just didn’t see any sense reading a book looking at automobiles. But I wanted windows there.”

Part of the master planning process included detailed research by the design team on Philip Johnson, the architect. Through this research, including detailed readings of what Philip Johnson wrote and said about his own work, William Rawn Associates Architects highlighted five Johnsonian Principles and their application at the BPL’s Central Library in Copley Square.

The principles are:

1. Procession: Anticipation – sense of event from exterior
2. Procession: Moment of Arrival – coherent experience from the front door
3. Procession: Ascent – celebrated vertical circulation
4. Scale: Respect and Experimentation – past and future
5. Structure and Rationality – structural clarity in planning.

In future posts, we’ll share additional details on some of these principles, which have been featured in discussions and presentations about the Johnson Building Improvement Project.