University of Arkansas Library Storage | USA
The University of Arkansas’ Library Storage Building, covering over 2,500 m² and made of CLT BBS, was completed in September 2018 and, when fully utilised, will contain some 1.8 million publications. The complete building was constructed in only 6 months.
facts
Project University of Arkansas Library Storage
Place Arkansas, USA
Year of construction 2018
Owner University of Arkansas
Client Holzpak LLC - binderholz Partner
Architecture Miller Boskus Lack Architects
General contractor Con-Real, LP
Material use 230 m³ glulam GLT and 735 m³ binderholz CLT BBS
Just-In-Time delivery with sea container shipment
As the sustainability of the university buildings is of the utmost importance, this storage warehouse was predominantly constructed in wood. The building consists of over 900 m³ of pure solid wood, to be more precise, 230 m³ glulam and 735 m³ binderholz CLT BBS. The material was shipped Just-In-Time by sea container to North America to keep the construction time as short as possible.
The CLT BBS was used for the two-dimensional wall, ceiling and roof elements combined with a statically load-bearing glulam shell. The combination of glulam and BBS elements enables the high-bay warehouse to be constructed with as few supports as possible, leaving more space for the stored books.
This high-bay warehouse enables books and other materials belonging to the university’s libraries to be accommodated in an air conditioned environment. The building even includes a conservation area where materials can be cleaned, repaired and restored. A proprietary work area was also planned for the staff. Relocating the publications leaves additional space for students in the libraries.
First solid wood library warehouse building
The project was installed by the general contractor Con-Real and was designed by Miller Boskus Lack Architects. The new library storage building represents a new and innovative era for the university libraries on many levels, however above all the so-called LSB, Library Storage Building, is the first solid wood construction in the state of Arkansas.
The innovative use of CLT BBS and glulam beams for the building is rather unique here and represents a practical, cost-effective and very attractive design. CLT BBS was selected for a number of reasons: it offers improved dimensional stability for large constructions, boasts greater fire resistance and a higher rating on the Fujita scale and can also be built at a similar cost to steel and concrete constructions due to its more lightweight design.