Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Grounding Innovative Learning

  • 05/01/17
North Carolina State University 

NJPA and Milliken helped North Carolina State University give its students durable and colorful flooring in the award-winning James B. Hunt Jr. Library.

As versatile as the needs of a public library are, so must be the interiors. A prime example: The award-winning James B. Hunt Jr. Library — located on North Carolina State’s Centennial Campus in Raleigh.

Snøhetta, an international architecture and interior design office based in Oslo, Norway and New York City, worked closely with Executive Architect Clark Nexsen to specify Milliken floor covering in the library.

The building is mostly composed of large, open spaces that flow from floor-to-floor, and features a variety of brightly colored study and learning environments with dynamic furnishings. Because of the open, flowing concept, being intentional of where and how material and color changes occurred was very important. Carpet, the preferred floor finishing within the majority of the library, was instrumental in tying together the building’s overall look and feel.

“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,” shares Elaine Molinar, the managing director for Snøhetta.

Milliken’s Paste Up collection comes in 50cm tiles with Comfort Plus cushion backing, making them 10 times more efficient in reducing noise compared to other flooring options.

“Our tiles feature built-in antimicrobial protection, exceptional appearance retention ratings and high indoor air quality rating,” notes David Potter, a senior territory manager for Milliken’s global floor covering division.

Reflecting on the project, Molinar is pleased with how North Carolina State’s student body has embraced the space: “The library has been overtaken by students, who are extremely enthusiastic and appreciative of their new ‘home away from home.’ This was our purpose.”

Milliken is a contract-awarded vendor of the National Joint Powers Alliance®. NJPA cooperative purchasing offers choice, value and peace of mind.

www.njpa.co/aboutus

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Year-Round Schools Require Year-Round Indoor Air Quality Planning

    While many schools are out for the summer, year-round schools follow a more “balanced” schedule with shorter, more frequent breaks spaced throughout the school year. Even though this offers educational benefits, these facilities have less downtime for building maintenance. This can become an issue when facilities managers overlook the importance of routine HVAC maintenance and air duct cleaning services.

  • University of Pennsylvania Releases Design of Future Physical Sciences Building

    The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) in Philadelphia, Penn., recently released renderings of an upcoming 350,000-square-foot Physical Sciences Building, according to news release. The facility was designed by CO Architects and will unite the university’s departments of Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics, and Earth and Environmental Science.

  • UT-San Antonio Begins Residence Hall Renovations

    The University of Texas at San Antonio recently began a $6-million renovation project to one of its residence halls, according to a news release. Originally completed in 1986, Chisolm Hall measures in at 120,860 square feet and is the oldest and largest residence hall on campus.

  • California High School Opens New Classroom Building for 7th-, 8th-Graders

    Santa Rosa City Schools in Santa Rosa, Calif., recently announced the completion of a new classroom building for Piner High School. As the campus transitions to a Junior/Senior High School, the facility will play home to the school’s new population of seventh- and eighth-grade students.