The new Hunt Library at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, incorporates advanced building features, including a five-story robotic bookBot automatic retrieval system that holds 2 million volumes in reduced space. The technology shaved 200,000 square feet off the overall size of the 221,000-sf building, which also includes a large-scale visualization lab (the "Game Lab") that supports NCSU's Digital Games Research Center. Additional technologies include a 3D printing workship and extensive digital media production facilities, plus sophisticated videoconferencing and telepresence infrastructure. A submarine simulator, developed in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, supports ROTC students.
The LEED Silver design incorporates rain gardens and green roofs, as well as active chilled beams and radiant panels for heating and cooling. The contemporary façade combines fritted glass and a fixed aluminum shading system.
In addition to design architect Snøhetta, the Building Team included Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee (executive architect, LEED administrator); Affiliated Engineers Inc. (MEP, FP); Stewart Engineering (SE); Arup (structural consultant); ColeJenest & Stone (CE); and Skanska (CM).
(http://www.archdaily.com/354701/hunt-library-snohetta/)
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Construction Specifications Institute to end support of MasterFormat 95 on December 31, 2009
The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) announced that the organization will cease to license and support MasterFormat 95 as of December 31, 2009. The CSI Board of Directors voted to stop licensing and supporting MasterFormat 95 during its June 16, 2009, meeting at the CSI Annual Convention in Indianapolis.
| Aug 11, 2010
Gensler among eight teams named finalists in 'classroom of the future' design competition
Eight teams were recognized today as finalists of the 2009 Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom. Finalists submitted designs ranging from an outdoor classroom for children in inner-city Chicago, learning spaces for the children of salt pan workers in India, safe spaces for youth in Bogota, Colombia and a bamboo classroom in the Himalayan mountains.
| Aug 11, 2010
F&S Partners merges with SmithGroup
F&S Partners, a Dallas architecture firm specializing in the design of educational, recreational, and religious projects, has merged with SmithGroup, a top 10 U.S. architecture/engineering firm. The 40-person office in Dallas will carry the name SmithGroup/F&S.
| Aug 11, 2010
Will Alsop to head up new RMJM studio
Will Alsop, the internationally acclaimed British architect and designer of the Glenwood Waterfront project on the Hudson River, is to turn his attention once again to the U.S. after announcing he is to create a studio called “Will Alsop at RMJM,” as part of the RMJM worldwide architectural firm.
| Aug 11, 2010
AECOM, WATG top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 75 largest hotel design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 Hotel Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Parsons Brinckerhoff, Dewberry among nation's largest multifamily design firms, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 75 Multifamily Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit /giants