Hunt Library, Raleigh Building, North Carolina Development, NCSU, American Architecture, USA
Hunt Library : North Carolina Architecture
Raleigh Learning Space, NCSU, USA design by Snøhetta Architects, Oslo
Apr 6, 2014 + Jul 24, 2013
Design: Snøhetta
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
James B. Hunt Jr. Library at North Carolina State University wins AIA/ALA Library Building Award
photograph : Jeff Goldberg/Esto
James B. Hunt Jr. Library Building
In July 2013, the new James B. Hunt Jr. Library at North Carolina State University, designed by Snøhetta in collaboration with local architect Clark Nexsen (formerly PBC+L), received the 2013 Library Building Award from the American Institute of Architects and the American Library Association in recognition of design excellence.
Address: The James B. Hunt Jr. Library – NCSU Libraries, 1070 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC 27606, United States
Phone: +1 919-515-7110
Apr 4, 2013
James B. Hunt Jr. Library
Design: Snøhetta
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
photograph : Mark Herboth
Library Building in Raleigh
On April 3, 2013, North Carolina State University officially dedicated the James B. Hunt Jr. Library, making it Snøhetta’s most recently completed project in North America.
photograph : Mark Herboth
Snøhetta, the internationally acclaimed architecture and landscape design practice, worked closely with NCSU Libraries to set a new benchmark for technologically-sophisticated collaborative learning spaces with the design of the new Hunt Library. It serves both as NC State’s second main library and the intellectual and social heart of the university’s Centennial Campus plan.
photograph : Mark Herboth
The Hunt Library also houses the Institute for Emerging Issues, a political think tank led by former North Carolina Governor James Hunt, academic offices and an auditorium. It is designed to be a decisive competitive edge for the university by democratizing access to the technologies driving our economy.
photograph : Mark Herboth
DESIGN
Snøhetta’s Hunt Library design balances the understood pre-existing needs with the University’s emerging needs to create a forward-thinking learning environment. While clearly a contemporary structure within a traditional context of the NCSU campus, the Hunt Library provides a positive platform for influencing its surroundings. Both technical and programmatic innovations are celebrated as part of the learning experience and provide a versatile and stimulating environment for students.
photograph : Mark Herboth
Generous open spaces connect all floors of the library and open stairs emphasize an interactive and social environment alongside more focused study areas. A wide variety of study and learning environments, and technology-focused experimental labs break the now ubiquitous model of the learning commons. “Disruptive” learning spaces with colorful, dynamic furnishings exist beside more traditional study rooms. The design recognizes the power of chance encounters and celebrates the role of physical space in the intellectual stimulation of its users.
photograph : Mark Herboth
The new LEED Silver (pending) project provides spaces awash with natural light, expansive views of the nearby lake and outdoor break and seating areas. The building’s façade of fritted glass and a fixed external aluminum shading system help diminish heat gain while maximizing views and ambient natural light. Robust materials form the interior spaces and unique, brightly-stained wooden stairs help library users orient themselves throughout the building. Ceiling-mounted active chilled beams and radiant panels provide heating and cooling for the interior spaces.
photos : Mark Herboth
Snøhetta’s integrated architecture and landscape architecture practice also designed the Hunt Library’s surrounding landscape. The design creates a fluid transition between the masterplanned landscape to the Hunt Library’s north with the natural environment of Lake Raleigh to the south, and links the library to the western edge of NCSU’s Centennial Campus. Snohetta’s plan breaks down the larger masterplan into individual diverse experiences, creates outdoor learning environments and teaching spaces for NCSU students, and incorporates rain gardens and green roofs into the building’s infrastructure for storm water management.
photos : Mark Herboth
TECHNOLOGY
The integration of state-of-the-art library technology is highly visible in the building’s design. The Hunt Library’s 5- storey robotic bookBot automated retrieval system is capable of holding two million volumes in 1/9 the space of conventional shelving. The system is supported by Virtual Browse, a user-friendly browsing software which enhances the traditional pleasure of browsing a collection by allowing users to see a virtual shelf of materials classified near the resources found by their initial search. The bookBot effectively reduced the total area of the building by 200,000 GSF, allowing more space for collaborative learning environments and technology.
photo : Snohetta
large-scale visualization tools. The Game Lab supports NC State’s Digital Games Research Center by providing an experimental commons to explore collaborative game design and the role of gaming in education. The library’s Teaching and Visualization Lab, the Creativity Studio, a 3D printing workshop and extensive digital media production facilities enable faculty and students with rapid prototyping, modeling, and visualization capabilities. State-of-the-art videoconferencing and telepresence technologies allow collaboration with colleagues across the state and around the world. ROTC students are even able to practice commanding a submarine in a simulation environment developed in partnership with the Navy as a tool to better train cadets.
photo : Janney Wiss
The James B. Hunt Jr. Library Raleigh images / information from Snøhetta Architects, Norway
James B. Hunt Jr. Library design : Snøhetta
Location: 1070 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
Website: www.lib.ncsu.edu/huntlibrary
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