Mark Saturday, December 01, 2007

Architecture

Jim Hunt Library to be NCSU Centennial Campus Centerpiece, Signature Building

Snohetta, the Norwegian architectural firm that designed the WTC Cultural Center (bottom), has been chosen to design the new $114 Million Library to be built on North Carolina State University’s cutting edge technopolis, Centennial Campus. 

The project is still in the early planning phases. While the entire program has not been determined, the new facility will include at least 200,000 square feet of badly needed student library space, as well as gallery and collection space in honor the work of North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt.  According the Triangle Business Journal, NCSU is has the worst ratio in the North Carolina University System of library space per student.

Though the precise location of the facility has not publicly been released, other than that it will be part of “The Oval,” the highlighted future building on the image below is perhaps the most likely site, because that building will be a central hub for the proposed “people mover” transportation system that will one day shuttle between Centennial Campus and the main campus.

The images below are of works by Snohetta, who has completed several well designed cultural buildings similar in scale and spirit to the future Jim Hunt Library. 

images credit: www.snoarc.no

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  • Jedidiah12/01 04:21 PM

    This could be the best thing to happen on State’s campus in decades.  Then again, Snøhetta knows nothing about red brick....oh what will they do?

  • georgia12/01 05:18 PM

    Oh my!

  • JZ12/01 06:05 PM

    I just hope NCSU doesn’t screw things up and cause Snohetta to either resign or be removed from the commission.

    So who gets to be the local architect-of-record?

  • brian_M12/01 07:12 PM

    If I was in charge, it’d be Frank Harmon, no joke.

  • barden12/01 08:04 PM

    I have to say, it couldn’t be named after a finer man. The guv has done more for this state than many in recent history

  • Jedidiah12/01 08:58 PM

    Considering PBC+L was in the charette/short list as well, they may be the local architects.

  • JZ12/02 12:20 AM

    PBC+L is probably right...i’m starting to get jealous....they got the opportunity to work with Tom Phifer on the NCMA job as well....

    Frank’s office is too small for the library’s needs. PBC+L can offer good production services and there won’t be the chest beatings in meetings with Snohetta.

  • Pack Guy12/02 10:36 PM

    If PBC+L is the local architect on the job - then who’ll be the structural engineer?

  • David12/03 10:17 AM

    Between this and the NCMA extension- our Instititutions are investing ins some beautiful structures.

  • Shim as Req'd12/03 12:15 PM

    the “opportunity” to work with Phifer firm was grand, from a PBC+L perspective

  • call it inevitable12/03 01:20 PM

    I’m excited that Snohetta was selected, but I’m less than optimistic about their chances of accomplishing anything great. It’s going to devolve into a watered-down, designed-by-committee shadow of what might have been, and the design architect will either stick to his guns (and be removed), or throw in the towel and move on to other greener pastures.

    Just look at the political shenanigans going on with other projects on campus, and tell me how it could end up any other way.

  • CarnifeX07/01 07:08 AM

    I believe the structural is going to be Stewart and Arup.

    In case you were wondering Affiliated Engineers is the MEP Consultant.  wink

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