JAMES HUNT LIBRARY

“Since opening, the library has been overtaken by students, who are extremely enthusiastic and appreciative of their new ‘home away from home.’ This was our purpose.” - Elaine Molinar, Managing Director for Snøhetta

In the James B. Hunt Jr. Library—located on North Carolina State’s Centennial Campus in Raleigh—individuals across a variety of disciplines benefit from the technical innovations and research achievements available. As versatile as the needs of a public library are, so must be the interiors, which serve as an integral part of a student’s learning experience. Snøhetta, an international architecture and interior design office based in Oslo, Norway and New York City, worked closely with Executive Architect Clark Nexsen (formerly Pearce, Brinkley, Cease + Lee) to specify Milliken floor covering in the state-of-the art installation. The team credits much of the project’s success to close collaboration.

Material and Color Changes Enhance Environment

Because the building is mostly composed of large open spaces that flow from floor to floor—rather than to many enclosed rooms—where and how material and color changes occurred was very important. A wide variety of study and learning environments and technology-focused experimental labs—featuring colorful spaces and dynamic furnishings—exist beside more traditional study rooms. Carpet is the preferred floor finish within the majority of the library.

“Rich, intense colors were a key factor in the development of the library design, and once we found the Paste Up series we knew it was the right product. Of the many products we reviewed, only the Milliken Paste Up series responded aesthetically to our design intentions and targeted user groups.” - Elaine Molinar, Managing Director for Snøhetta

State-of-the-art library technology is highly visible in the building’s design to create dynamic learning environments and cater to a community built around knowledge. Its five-story robotic ‘bookBot’ automated retrieval system is capable of holding 2,000,000 volumes in 1/9 the space of conventional shelving. The system is supported by 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. According to Molinar, the carpet colors selected refined the overall palette that complements the sophisticated learning environment, supporting its culture of innovation.

“Not only were we delighted with the beautiful vibrant colors of Milliken’s Paste Up collection, we also felt that the edgy, rough patterns of the Space Invader line were exactly in tune with the spirit of an innovative university library.” - Elaine Molinar, Managing Director for Snøhetta

Snøhetta 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. The Library also houses the Institute for Emerging Issues, a political think tank led by former 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. Libraries have evolved dramatically in recent years, moving away from introverted spaces lined with shelves, to more vibrant social and collaborative spaces, with allocated spaces for reflection. The Hunt library, serves as a comfortable living room for students as well as their intellectual base-camp on the campus.

A contemporary structure within a traditional context, the Hunt Library provides a forward-thinking 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 the user. 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 technologyfocused experimental labs go beyond the now ubiquitous model of the learning commons. “Disruptive” learning spaces with colorful, dynamic furnishings exist adjacent to more traditional study rooms.

The building’s design recognizes the power of chance encounters and celebrates the role physical space plays in the intellectual stimulation of its users. Technology zones are integrated throughout the Library. Interactive digital surfaces and HD video display screens deliver both programmed and live-feed information. The Game Lab serves as a testing lab for video game design. The Hunt Library employs numerous sustainable measures and creativelyintegrated technologies to achieve a LEED Silver rating. Solar panels located on the roof and the roof itself, built with a high albedo, minimize the heat island effect of the building. Self-regulated light fixtures are used in the interiors and ample daylighting also reduce the artificial light load. Rain gardens in the landscape masterplan reduce stormwater runoff, and a cistern collects rainwater for site irrigation. The use of the automated book storage system also reduced the overall size of the building by nearly half. Chilled beams and radiant panels in the ceilings, dramatically reduced the size and capacity required for the mechanical room. At the time of construction, North Carolina’s state energy requirements were stricter than LEED requirements, allowing only 40% of the entire building envelope to be glass.