Learning Resource Center

Northwest Florida State College| Niceville, Florida

This new 50,000 square foot library and media center incorporates research, technology, and meeting programs while establishing a new quadrangle at the center of this growing commuter campus. The second of three projects developed with the same joint venture team, the Learning Resource Center continues to define a new architectural, landscape, and material vocabulary for the College.

The stack area and reading gallery is developed as a shaded, airy glass volume spanning an arched grotto below. Cut through this primary space, a central oculus introduces filtered day light into the building while allowing direct natural light and ventilation into the grotto, creating an animated respite from the intense daylight of the Florida panhandle. This space serves both as the primary entry into the building and as a gateway between the outer ring of the campus and the new quadrangle.

Developed as a joint venture with Sam Marshall Architects and DAG Architects.