Aubrey Watzek Library

Aubrey Watzek Library is a modernist building on the Lewis & Clark College campus designed in Pacific Northwest style, with concrete and glass construction. The structure rests on elevated piers and contains multiple floors with large windows that overlook campus gardens and a reflecting pool.

Paul Thiry designed and completed the building in 1967, drawing on modernist principles of the era. A major expansion project in 1994 doubled the size of the original structure.

The library serves as a gathering place for students and faculty at Lewis & Clark College, where you can observe the daily rhythms of campus life. People study in groups at tables, work individually in quiet corners, and gather in social spaces throughout the building.

The building provides bright spaces for focused study with access to a large collection of books and online databases. Note that building access is primarily intended for college students and affiliated individuals.

During an archival assessment in 2016, staff unexpectedly found a rare copy of the 1599 Geneva Bible tucked away in the basement. The discovery revealed how valuable materials can be hidden in the building's lower levels.

Location: Portland

Inception: 1967

Architects: Paul Thiry

Website: https://library.lclark.edu

GPS coordinates: 45.45095,-122.66909

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:41