Snøhetta

Hunt Library

Hunt Library
© Mark Herboth

HUNT LIBRARY

Snøhetta

ARCHITECTS
Snøhetta

LOCATION
Raleigh, United States

AREA
221122.0 ft²

YEAR
2013

PHOTOGRAPHS
Jeff Goldberg/Esto, Mark Herboth, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc, Jose Parla

MANUFACTURERS
Barcol-Air USA, Covering Chile, David Allen, Dematic, Knoll, Milliken, Rieder Group, Selux, Sika, Sound Seal, Steel Ceilings, Thos. Moser

Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO

Text description provided by architect.

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.

Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO

Both technical and programmatic innovations are celebrated as part of the learning experience and provide a versatile and stimulating environment for students.

Generous open spaces connect all floors of the library and open stairs emphasize an interactive and social environment alongside more focused study areas.

Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO

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.

Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO

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. 

Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO

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.

Snøhetta’s integrated architecture and landscape architecture practice also designed the Hunt Library’s surrounding landscape.

Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO

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.

Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO

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.

Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO

The bookBot effectively reduced the total area of the building by 200,000 GSF, allowing more space for collaborative learning environments and technology.

In addition to the bookBot, innovative building features give faculty and students hands-on experience with the large-scale visualization tools.

Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO

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.

Hunt Library
© Mark Herboth
Hunt Library
© Mark Herboth

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.

Hunt Library
© Mark Herboth


Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Hunt Library
© Mark Herboth
Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Hunt Library
© Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc
Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Hunt Library
© Jeff Goldberg / ESTO


Hunt Library
East Elevation
Hunt Library
West Elevation


Hunt Library
Short Section 1
Hunt Library
Short Section 2
Hunt Library
Long Section
Hunt Library
Site Plan 


Hunt Library
Floor Plan 1
Hunt Library
Floor Plan 2
Hunt Library
Floor Plan 4
Hunt Library
Floor Plan 3

Snøhetta
T +47 24 156060
Snøhetta
Skur 39, Akershusstranda 21, 0150 Oslo, Norway