Have you ever had trouble
finding a place to study, let alone sit in North Carolina State University’s D.
H. Hill Library? Well, the brand new James B. Hunt Jr. Library on Centennial
campus doubles NC State’s study seating capacity and, the best part: it’s GREEN! It has been
designed for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver
Environmental rating and is expected to be the fourth LEED-certified building
on NC State’s campus!
Before the opening
of the Hunt Library, NC State could seat less than 5% of its students, but this
building offers 1,700 new seats and almost 100 group study rooms! Providing
technology-enabled furniture, high-definition video walls, a 3D computing and
visualization space, and videoconferencing and telepresence facilities, the
Hunt Library utilizes technology to encourage innovation and learning. The
building goes above and beyond in representing NC State’s strength in technology and
design.
The Hunt Library’s
efficient and complex design reduces energy consumption by 31%, downsizing
costs and improving ecological conditions. A main contributor of this reduction
is the bookBot, which efficiently stores and retrieves books. This incredible
design eliminates the need for aisle space and reduces the building’s square
footage by 40%! Ceiling-mounted occupancy sensors
automatically control the efficient lighting throughout the building as well as
room temperature in the study rooms and offices, putting a halt to energy
consumption when areas are not in use. Additionally, twelve solar thermal
panels on the roof of the building utilize the sun to naturally produce hot
water for the entire building! Vast
expanses of glass windows also take advantage of the natural sunlight to light
many rooms throughout the day. However, the combination of vertical and horizontal solar blades that
contributes to the unique exterior of the building block out unwanted sunlight
that causes uncomfortable heat and glare. And you thought the awesome exterior
was just for looks! 
For those that
love that fresh outdoor air, you will be remarkably comfortable due to the air ventilation
system sized to deliver 30% more outside air than required by code! The air quality
throughout the building is further enhanced through the use of Low-VOC paints
and coatings used on drywall and wood finishes, as well as low-VOC adhesives
and sealants in the carpets to reduce harmful off-gassing.
The strong sustainable
design of the Hunt Library extends beyond its interior and works to enhance its
scenic surrounding environment. The Centennial Oval leading up to the building,
the terrace overlooking Lake Raleigh, and the exterior design of the building
all act to integrate and appreciate the surrounding environment. The natural hydrology of Lake Raleigh and Walnut Creek is
preserved by incorporating the rain garden and vegetated green roof, which act
to reduce harmful runoff and remove sedimentation and contaminants before
reaching the waterways. The green roof also helps cool the building, reducing
energy use in the summer time. Water-efficient landscaping throughout the site
reduces the need for irrigation and conserves water. Drinking water is
also conserved through the installation of infrastructure for future connection
to municipal reclaimed wastewater to be used for all toilets and urinals. Water-efficient or
ultra-low-flow plumbing fixtures in bathrooms currently contribute to a 38%
reduction in water use.
Even the materials
used to construct the library were sourced to have minimal impact on the environment!
One-third of all
materials used to construct and finish the library were both extracted and manufactured
within 500 miles of the site. In addition, 82% of all wood products used inside the building have been
sustainably harvested and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The
library’s environmental impact is also reduced by using 31% recycled content,
including steel, carpet, bathroom countertops and aluminum window mullions. Recycling is made
convenient and accessible for students, faculty, and staff by placing bins for
metal, plastic, glass, paper, cardboard, and electronics throughout the library
to reduce operational waste, extending the life of our prized natural
resources!
For bicycle and Wolfline
commuters, accessing the Hunt Library will be as convenient as ever! Public transportation
and bicycle commuting are encouraged through the buildings setup through bus
stops and bike racks surrounding the building. Showers and changing areas are also
provided in the building to promote physical activity. Light-colored paths and trees
around the building also contribute to reducing the heat island effect, keeping
the surrounding environment cool and comfortable for commuters!
Are you interested
in learning more about the Hunt Library’s sustainable design? Click here to request a
tour, or here to learn more! Get your smart
phones ready because an application is being designed for visitors who would
like a self-guided tour! Digital displays in the building and the NCSU Libraries website provide facts
about green building strategies and the Hunt Library’s achievements. Education about
green building is part of the design and function of the building. It is essential to
educate the community about the Hunt Library’s sustainable technology and
design and to recognize it for its influential green building design as a
successful example of balancing social, economic, and ecological aspects. By
allowing visitors, students, staff and faculty to become aware about the
benefits of green building, the vision of living and working in a healthier,
safer, more efficient building comes closer to reality.
(All photos courtesy of the Hunt Library's webpage.)
