Originally built as the Courtyard for the Given Medical School (Skidmore, Owens & Merrill, 1963), the Dana Medical Library has been moved into this recently enclosed courtyard, which has been imaginatively converted into a temporary library. There is a sense of lightness and spaciousness reminiscent of the great 19th century Libraries and Reading Rooms of Europe and Great Britain.

Lightness and spaciousness also characterize the experience of the interior dome with balustrade and chandelier, Ira Allen Chapel, 1925. (McKim, Mead & White) The building as a composition brings together the varying traditions and forms of the classical language of architecture. The impressive Palladian lantern or tower - the central visual icon for the University for many people - is placed over the central portion of the Chapel. In layout and scale the Chapel brings together the traditional latin-cross plan (nave and crossing transept) with an interior dome creating a remarkable sense of spaciousness and light.