History of the building

The library is housed in the former Institut des Sciences, a remarkable 19th century building designed by architect Adolphe Pauli. When it opened in the 1890s, it brought the university's natural sciences (such as geology, physics and mineralogy) and engineering disciplines together under one roof. 

As these fields of study became increasingly popular, the building quickly became too small. New laboratories, classrooms, and auditoria were added, often by adapting existing spaces in “creative” ways.  

Floors were divided, courtyards were built over, and over time the Institut des Sciences developed into a complex maze. If you feel slightly lost while exploring the building, you're following in a long-standing academic tradition.  

By the late 20th century, all those alterations had left their mark on the building. In recognition of its historical and architectural importance, the Institut des Sciences was officially listed as a protected monument in 1994. 

Since then, successive restoration projects have aimed to balance two goals: preserving the building's historic character, while making it more accessible and suitable for modern university life. As part of these renovations, many of the oldest rooms have been carefully restored.