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

  • Preparing for the Next Era of Healthcare Education, Innovation

    Across the country, public universities and community colleges are accelerating investments in healthcare education facilities as part of a broader strategy to address workforce shortages, modernize outdated infrastructure, and expand clinical training capacity. These projects, which are often located at the center of campus health and science districts, are no longer limited to traditional classrooms.

  • T&T Construction Management Group Completes Pasco High School Expansion

    Pasco High School in Dade City, Fla., recently announced that it has completed an expansion project in partnership with T&T Construction Management Group, Inc., Harvard Jolly Architecture, and Williams Company.

  • Hawaii Elementary School Breaks Ground on New Classroom Building

    Kealakehe Elementary School in Kailua, Hawaii, recently began construction on a new, $16-million classroom building for its campus, according to a news release. The 13,000-square-foot building will stand two stories and connect the existing upper and lower campuses.

  • Illinois State University Breaks Ground on College of Fine Arts Transformation

    Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts transformation project, according to university news. The series of new constructions and renovations will upgrade spaces in Centennial East, the Center for the Visual Arts, and the Center for the Performing Arts, as well as replace the existing Centennial West facility with a new Commons Building.

Digital Edition