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ALSO
IN THIS ISSUE Beyond Books Designer's Challenge Improving Mother Nature Bach to the Future Chancellor's
Page Development News Factoids More Factoids Accidental Heroes Newsmakers |
Designers' Challenge New
technology meets classic design innovation. "It was a long process, creating and implementing the construction of the center, but it was also quite exciting," said tBP project manager Dan Nolan. "The original budget was richer than it turned out to be in the end, but the core design elements we desired all made it into the final outcome." The
result is a powerful and eye-pleasing building that earns appreciative
comments from students, faculty and visitors. "We
took advantage of the views from the site, the harbor and skyline,"
Nolan said. "The idea was to maximize the views, and have the design
elements match the aura those views provided." Strict state energy requirements limited the amount of glass that could be used, but the building's innovative solar design helped. One of the big challenges welcomed by the architects was designing the building to maximize its technological potential. The library itself, after all, besides housing more than 60,000 books, 425 magazines and 56,000 microforms, also offers massive computer and Internet access, photocopiers, laser printers and numerous other equipment. "It's definitely state-of-the-art," Nolan said. "We found the best ways to provide Internet power jacks, wall pedestals, all the things that were needed. When you want new technology, the primary concern is access." tBP Architecture is now working on the new physical education building next to the tennis courts and health center. "Working
on a college campus such as this, with so many natural resources, and
with so many ideas flowing, is very rewarding," Nolan said.
ECO-FRIENDLY. Towering windows and an open floor plan allow natural light to minimize the need for costly artificial lighting. Sun shades screen out the most intense rays without obscuring downtown vistas.
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