Ground broken for new library project at Norfolk State University

ATLANTA, GA (June 8, 2009) John Portman & Associates, Inc. (PORTMAN) is pleased to announce the beginning of construction on the new Lyman Beecher Brooks Library and Campus Greens at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. The firm created the design for this project.

Located at the geographic center of the campus, the positioning of the new library creates a new west “academic” quadrangle and a new east “student life” quadrangle. Plazas at both library entrances along the primary East-West pedestrian thoroughfare of the campus provide gathering spaces and outdoor study areas with access to the campus’ wireless data network. The new library is an important step in fulfilling the campus masterplan, also conceived by John Portman & Associates.

The 132,000-square-foot library features a unique sinuous form that responds to the constraints of the site. The building is anchored by a dramatic 3-story, glass enclosed rotunda soaring over 90 feet in height and bringing natural light into the library’s interior, a lively, activated and inviting space that will accommodate the University’s growing student population.

Conceived to be a distinctive signature building for Norfolk State, the new library will be state-of-the-art with a technology-rich Information Commons, Computer Resource Lab, e-Learning Center, and Internet Café. In addition to traditional book stacks and reading spaces, the building will contain 30 study rooms, a graduate student research room and a large meeting/instruction room that will accommodate up to 50 people and include the latest in audio-visual capabilities. The design team is pursuing Silver level LEED certification, as sustainability practices have been of utmost importance throughout the design process.

The project team includes local architect of record Moseley Architects, library experts Jay Lucker and Tappe Associates, and technology consultants, Waveguide. The Fall 2011 opening of the new library will be followed by the completion of the new campus quadrangles in Spring 2012.