WEST POINT BUILDS A COMMANDING NEW LIBRARY AND LEARNING CENTER FOR THE INFORMATION AGE

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1 PRESS CONTACTS: STV Jill Bonamusa, Holzman Moss Architecture Cecilia Bonn, WEST POINT BUILDS A COMMANDING NEW LIBRARY AND LEARNING CENTER FOR THE INFORMATION AGE (Jefferson Hall is the First New Academic Building on Campus in over 35 Years) New York, NY - August 1, 2008 Beginning September 2008, West Point, the nation's oldest service academy, will have a state-of-the-art new library and learning center on the United States Military Academy s fabled Hudson Valley campus, a National Historic Site. The $62-million, 141,000-square-foot building, Jefferson Hall-USMA Library and Learning Center, was planned and designed by STV in collaboration with Holzman Moss Architecture for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Building on its more than 200-year tradition of excellence in education and military training, West Point s leaders recognized a decade ago that a new library facility in the form of an interactive learning center was necessary to meet the growing educational needs of its over 4,400 cadets plus faculty. Cadet education in the 21 st century must develop officers who respect the past but are open to the future, who as Army leaders can anticipate and respond effectively to a dynamic and uncertain world, said retired Brigadier General George B. Forsythe, former Professor and Vice Dean for Education. As a result, West Point s new library and learning center is grounded architecturally and symbolically to its historic surroundings, yet also envisioned to provide new gateways for the pursuit of knowledge. A New Learning Platform for Cadets Jefferson Hall provides for a highly responsive learning platform for future growth, by bringing together the Cadet Library, the Center for Teaching Excellence and the Center for Enhanced Performance. (Cont.)

2 The CTE provides faculty instructional spaces that are at the forefront of new academic learning styles, while the CEP seeks to assist cadets with improved learning techniques and problem solving methods. Interactive learning centers, group study, technology-rich classrooms, and 900 individual study spaces will emphasize the integration of a variety of teaching and learning tools and foster student faculty interaction. The library will also serve as a repository for more than one-million books and other materials. Changing the Appearance of the Campus We sited the new building at the southeast corner of the historic West Point Plain to give it due prominence as a facility dedicated to nurturing intellect; it is the first new academic building in the central area since 1972, said Price Jepsen, AIA, STV project manager, who was responsible for selecting the building site, strategic planning, and programming. Its program reflects a changing learning environment, from a repository of books to a place where new, interactive instructional methods can be developed and the value of life-long education expressed. Because the Plain is a significant part of this National Historic Landmark District, any building erected on it automatically qualifies for a statement of adverse effect from the New York State Historic Preservation Office, said Malcolm Holzman, FAIA, of Holzman Moss Architecture, who was responsible for the building s design. Designing a facility that reflects the spirit and values of the 21 s- century Army and still honors the academy s architectural virtues was imperative. Bringing Military Gothic Into the 21 st Century Divided into three masses with step-backs echoing the form of surrounding structures, the six-story granite and glass building advances West Point s, 19 th -century Military Gothic style into the 21 st century. 1,586 tons of granite clad the entire building. Hand-tooled stone block mined from the same quarry as adjacent structures clad the two end towers, and design details such as sandstone window surround, a three-dimensional West Point arch at the main entry, and double-height windows echo similar features found in neighboring buildings designed by Bertram Goodhue, Ralph Adam Cram, and Paul Cret. (Cont.)

3 In keeping with West Point tradition, Jefferson Hall s two end towers are composed of granite blocks -- a rusticated, rugged material found on many other academy buildings. Centered between the towers is a full-height curtain wall comprised of blast-resistant glass and precast concrete mullions, which frames unparalleled views of the campus, bluff, and river beyond. Additional design elements include amber-colored glass brick to filter light into an archival area partially below grade, and exposed structural clay tile walls to bring warmth to the entry lobby and collection areas. Enclosed spaces including collections, individual reading areas, and library support spaces located within the towers are offset by panoramic vistas of the Plain and the Hudson River farther afield, while expansive windows found throughout public reading areas, study areas, and meeting rooms in the glazed core make library activities visible from various vantage points on campus. The building has achieved a bronze rating under the Army s SPiRiT program the equivalent of a LEED certified, green-design rating. STV is a national leader in the planning and design of buildings and transportation systems. The employee-owned firm provides full service architectural, engineering, planning, interior design and construction management. The firm strives to provide contextual architectural and engineering design excellence, quality of documentation, environmentally responsible designs and technically advanced solutions. STV s designs focus on enriching the human experience. Founded in 1912 in New York City, the firm has grown to 1,500 employees, and is one of the premier consulting firms in the country. For more information, see STV's web site at Holzman Moss Architecture is a national architectural, interior design, and planning firm specializing in the design of evocative cultural, civic, and academic buildings that welcome public use. The firm achieves architectural excellence through environmentally responsible and technically innovative solutions that focus on enriching the human experience. Engaging clients in a process of visualization, dialogue, and inquiry, Holzman Moss Architecture projects surpass aspirations by responding to the needs of each institution and by celebrating the identity of the community it serves. ###

4 Jefferson Hall-USMA Library and Learning Center FACT SHEET Location: Client: Architects: Cost Size: United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA), NY U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District STV, Architect-of-Record and Engineer Holzman Moss Architecture, Design Architect $62 million 141,000 sq. ft. Timeline: Site Selection, Feasibility Study, Program, Preliminary Concept A comprehensive study and programming phase included an extensive site selection process during which 19 potential sites were reviewed. Responsibility: STV Concept Design, Guiding Principles, Architectural and Interior Design The building sits on the edge of West Point s 70-acre parade ground, a level training field and athletic space known as the Plain. A national historical landmark revered since its creation in 1778, building on the Plain required careful consultation with the New York State Historical Preservation Office. In order to secure their approval, the design of the six-story building demonstrated respect for the past while realizing the Academy s vision of the future. Architecture: STV Architectural and Interior Design: Holzman Moss Architecture Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Structural and Civil Engineering Responsibility: STV 2005 Bidding Primary responsibility: STV Construction Primary responsibility: STV 2008 Move in (July 2008) and Dedication (September 24, 2008) Noteworthy Design Elements:

5 Towers East and West granite-clad towers step back as they rise to modulate their scale, accentuate their verticality, and harmonize with adjoining Gothic-style structures. To match the stone used in the adjoining Eisenhower Barracks, a section of the Fletcher Granite Quarry was reopened. Arches The campus s fabled West Point Arch, found in adjacent buildings, served as inspiration for details at the building s main entry and largest window openings. Two vertical arch forms span 25 feet across the main entranceway projecting both the history and future of the academy. Specially-formed concrete columns, arches, and bay windows strike a balance between the traditional and the modern. Interiors The interior color palette was chosen to complement the uniform of the Corps of Cadets, as was the representation of stripes and chevrons in fixtures and finishes. Graphic abstractions of military medals, seals and inscriptions enliven carpeting, light fixtures, and terrazzo floors. The central rotunda, with its grand staircase, also features the West Point crest embedded in terrazzo and in a bronze sculpture of Thomas Jefferson. On the building s topmost floor, the Alexander Haig Room is a special space intended for receptions, events, lectures, and multi-media presentations in addition to serving as group study and academic learning space. Hung from its cherry veneer core will be historical West Point portraits. On the perimeter stone piers, spaced along the glazed facade, are wood display cases for important West Point artifacts. From its outdoor terrace, patrons are treated to spectacular views. In the tradition of notable West Point interior spaces, such as those found in Washington Hall and Grant Hall, the Alexander Haig Room boasts stenciled ceilings with painted insignias and decorative details. Carvings Carved details can be found at various entry points to the building. The main, limestone sally port includes the inscription of two seals on either side. Two others are carved in granite at the building s side entries.