Concept Design Report • 09.02.

2010
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 table of contents

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Project Framework. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Project Timeline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Functional Integration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Space Needs Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Design Narratives
Architectural Narrative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Concept Diagrams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Concept Floor Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Site and Landscape Narrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Site Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Code Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Concept Design Report • 09.02.2010

LIBRARY ARCHIVES MUSEUM PROJECT
Alaska’s Memory Keeper
acknowledgments
Owner/Client Core Design Team

State of Alaska, Department of Transportation ECI / Hyer Architecture & Interiors

and Public Facilities for 101 W. Benson Boulevard, Suite 306
State of Alaska, Department of Education and Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Early Development Brian Meissner, Principal-in-Charge
Division of Alaska State Libraries, Archives and 907.561.5543
Museums
Linda Thibodeau, Director THA Architecture
P.O. Box 110571 733 SW Oak Street, Suite 100
Juneau, AK 99811-0571 Portland, Oregon 97205
Thomas Hacker, Lead Designer
503.227.1254

Walker Macy • Landscape Architecture

111 SW Oak Street, Suite 200
Portland, OR 97204
Doug Macy, Landscape Planner
503.228.3122

Laura Millar • Archive Planner

1202-1245 Quayside Drive
New Westminster, BC V3M 6J6
604.515.4676

Concept Design Report • 09.02.2010 

LIBRARY ARCHIVES MUSEUM PROJECT

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Over the past few years a paradigm shift has
been occurring at the Alaska State Libraries,
Archives and Museums. A dream for a new facil-
ity that would integrate the three units is becom-
ing a reality. Simultaneously, the workings of
the Division are becoming more integrated on
a daily basis. These changes have Alaska on tar-
get to become an international leader in service
delivery for libraries, archives and museums.
This report summarizes the process that led to
where we are, presents the concepts that arose
from the process, and sets a course that will lead
to a new Library, Archives and Museum Facility.
At heart, this project is about protecting Alas-
ka’s treasures. The existing collections of the
Alaska Libraries, Archives and Museums are full
of those treasures. Many, if damaged, are irre-
placeable, yet they are housed in buildings that
can no longer adequately protect them. The
storage facilities are beyond their useful life and
beyond capacity. There are additional treasures
within the State and beyond that will eventually
find their way into the collections. This project
promises to produce a facility capable of receiv-
ing and protecting valuable artifacts. Alaska
deserves to see the existing and future collec-
tions preserved for generations to come.
Concept Design Report • 09.02.2010
LIBRARY ARCHIVES MUSEUM PROJECT
The project has three key goals:
• Construct a new building that will protect
Alaska’s collections while integrating the
library, archives and museum.
• Improve service delivery and program of-
ferings through integration of the three
groups.
• Create an integrated digital portal for access
to information.
Building Space Requirements
After extensive user interviews with staff mem-
bers and stakeholders, the space requirements
have been updated and described in detail. In
summary, the new facility will include the follow-
ing components.
• 124,000 sf new construction
• 80 basement level parking stalls
• 40 surface parking stalls
• site development and landscaping
Outreach
Initial outreach efforts included stakeholder
interviews with representatives of 35 groups
statewide and an email poll of other state
libraries, archives and museums regarding their
expansion projects. A project fact sheet outlined
the project need and approach. A project bro-
chure was distributed with presentations to the
annual meeting of the Alaska Historical Societies
and Museums Alaska.
More recently, a series of public workshops and
discussions with staff has led to development
of an updated list of space requirements and a
concept design for the new facility.
Over the next several months continued state-
wide outreach will be employed to educate citi-
zens about the project and to generate feedback
on the design concepts.

 Alaska Division of Libraries, Archives
and Museums
The U.S. Congress established the Alaska Histori-
cal Library and Museum in 1900. The first cura-
tor, Andrew Kashevaroff, was appointed in 1920
and shortly thereafter the Territory assumed
responsibility for its operations. When the new
federal building (now the State Capitol) was fin-
ished in 1931, the Library and Museum moved to
that building.
A new museum, built by the community of
Juneau, was turned over to the State of Alaska
in 1968 to honor the centennial of Alaska’s pur-
chase. At that time, the Alaska Historical Library
was separated from the Alaska State Museum
and became a part of the Alaska State Library,
which had been established in 1955. When the
Alaska State Archives was created in 1970, public
state records were transferred to it from the His-
torical Library, which retained all manuscript and
photograph records and papers produced by the
private sector. The State Archives entered the
current building in 1975. The State purchased the
Sheldon Jackson Museum in 1988. In 1991, the
Commissioner of Education created the Division
of Libraries, Archives and Museums.
STATEWIDE OUTREACH – EDUCATION LOOP


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 project
FRAMEWORK
Mission
The mission of the Alaska Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums is to preserve Alaska’s cultural heritage and to facilitate access to information and
resources for research and lifelong learning.
In keeping with this mission to better protect and share our collections and to improve our programs and services, the division is working towards consoli-
dating and integrating the work of its three sections: the State Library, the State Archives and the State Museums. A new building should help us to work
more efficiently and effectively for Alaskans.

Alaska State Library Alaska State Archives Alaska State Museums

The Department of Library Service was estab-
lished in 1955 to provide library service in the Ter-
ritory of Alaska, to serve as a reference library
for Territorial offices and libraries, to coordinate
and assist library activities throughout the terri-
tory, and to administer the annual grant-in-aid
to incorporated library associations. In 1959 the
Department was placed within the Department
of Education for administrative purposes; it
assumed the title Alaska State Library. The His-
torical Library separated from the State Museum
and joined the State Library in 1968. This section
of the library is now known as the Historical
Collections.
The Alaska State Archives was established in 1970
and opened its doors to the public in 1972. The
State Archives is the repository that preserves
the government records of Alaska’s history and
makes these records accessible to its patrons in
a safe, professional and responsible manner.
Government records with permanent histori-
cal value include legislative bills and histories,
audio recordings, meeting minutes, annual
reports, birth and death records, naturalization
records, incorporation records, court and pro-
bate records, correspondence, publications and
other agency-related material. The Alaska State
Archives does not collect personal manuscript
records, but holds records dated from 1874 -.
present, with the majority of records created in
the 20th century. Areas of strength include ter-
ritorial and state governor records, territorial
court records, community-based state govern-
ment records, and state era legislative records.
The purpose of the Museum, created in 1900,
was to collect, preserve and exhibit the territo-
ry’s objects. Initially the collection was stored
wherever space could be found with no provi-
sion made for public access. In 1920, the collec-
tion was made available to the public in Juneau’s
Arctic Brotherhood Building and in 1923, the
Territory assumed responsibility for operations.
By the mid-1940s, the collection had outgrown
its space and the Museum could no longer ade-
quately store and display its materials. In 1968, in
honor of the centennial purchase of Alaska from
Russia, Juneau citizens implemented a sales tax
to help fund a new facility—the existing museum
facility—subsequently turning over ownership
and governance to the State of Alaska. Since
that time, the Museum’s collections have grown
from 5,500 to 27,000 objects. The Alaska State
Museum was accredited by the American Associ-
ation of Museums in 1975 and was re-accredited
in 1987, and again in 2001.

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 project
timeline
Libraries Archives Museum Project Timeline to Date
• Initial design proposal unveiled in Juneau in June 2010; .
the project was christened the Library Archives Museum Project
• Staff and public meetings conducted in Juneau in April & May 2010
• Design contract awarded in spring 2010
• Released design request for proposals in November of 2009
• Pre-design program planning conducted in spring 2009
• Additional design funding provided by Legislature in 2008
• Needs Assessment completed November 2006
• Partial design funding secured 2005
• 1.8 acres acquired 2003, added to site of existing Museum

Next Steps
• Fall - Winter 2010 - 2011 • Fall - Winter 2011 - 2012
Schematic design Final construction documents
Statewide outreach campaign Initiate construction contract for long-lead
items, utilities and advanced site work
Contractor selection
• Spring 2012 - Summer 2014
• Spring - Summer 2011
Construction
Design development
• Fall 2014
Finalize construction timeline
Grand Opening
Secure project funding for construction

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As web-based communications and digital tech-
nologies become increasingly common, a grow-
ing national and international trend is to inte-
grate library, archives and museum processes,
bringing together the work of different institu-
tions into one or two integrated agencies, often
under the umbrella term ‘memory institutions.’
Functional integration emphasizes the simi-
larities between library, archives and museum
services while respecting the distinct qualities
of the materials being managed: publications,
archival records and artifacts. Not only does the
integration of operations provide greater access
to a wide range of information resources, but
the coordination of activities also allows insti-
tutions to offer extensive public services while
maximizing resources.
While each type of material – publications, his-
torical records, or three-dimensional objects –.
presents its own challenge for preservation,
description and access, many procedures can
be coordinated effectively. For example, rather
than maintaining separate procedures for adding
new items to library, archives or museum collec-
tions, an integrated approach can centralize the
documentation of all new acquisitions. Donor
information, descriptions of new accessions,
conservation notes can all be consolidated; as
Concept Design Report • 09.02.2010
LIBRARY ARCHIVES MUSEUM PROJECT
functional
integration
a result, everyone in the institution can see the
full scope of new holdings and establish com-
mon priorities for action. Similarly, the content
and structure of library, archives and museum
catalogs, finding aids, and other descriptive
tools can be coordinated so that users can
easily find a wide-range of relevant materials
on their research topic, whether the items are
publications, historical documents, or original
artifacts. As an example, the description of a pair
of beaded moccasins will be different from the
description of a booklet on Athabascan clothing
or of a historical photograph of an Athabascan
woman in traditional clothing. By putting those
descriptions together in an integrated catalog,
the user can access core information about each
item, making it easier to locate a wide body of
information and resources related to Athabas-
can traditions.
The Library Archives Museum Project is mov-
ing toward functional integration in many of its
library/archives/museum operations. In particu-
lar, the division is actively investigating new and
coordinated processes for:
• acquiring, collecting and documenting the
receipt of new materials to support a com-
prehensive approach to acquisitions
• identifying and liaising with potential donors
to coordinate communications and support
positive relationships with the community
• documenting the preservation requirements
for all materials in all media to prioritize
materials at risk while making best use of
resources
• providing online access to descriptions and
catalogs to ensure users are able to find rel-
evant materials from throughout the institu-
tion regardless of format or type
• digitizing historical materials, from historical
publications to archival records to images of
three-dimensional artifacts, to provide the
widest possible access to the institution’s
holdings.
Staff members across the division are work-
ing closely on integration initiatives, bringing
together their unique expertise and knowledge
and looking beyond the traditional “silos” of
libraries versus archives versus museums.
The goal is to identify new and creative
approaches to collecting, documenting, pre-
serving and sharing the wealth of resources that
illustrate Alaska’s past and present.

 functional adjacency diagrams

10
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Through numerous stimulating discussions
with the Executive Committee, staff and the
Design Team, a collaborative method of working
emerged. This will be facilitated by an integra-
tion of spaces in the new facility. Together the
Library, Archives, Museum, Administration and
Technical and Imaging Services explained to the
Design Team what services they provide to the
State and how work is accomplished within their
current space. From these meetings surfaced an
understanding of what each section shares and
where potentially conflicting differences exist in
the program requirements. It is important that
the design and program create space that allows
collaboration in new and yet unidentified ways.
Each section collects, preserves, explains, inter-
prets, shares and communicates. Within each
of these areas are both nuanced and notice-
able procedural distinctions. The Design Team
worked with the user group to understand all
the possible areas of integration that should be
considered during the programming process and
to find ways of addressing technical variations.
Collecting is done both through outreach result-
ing in donations and through systematic collect-
ing and purchasing. New materials are evaluated
for issues that must be addressed prior to being
entered into the collection. The Museum and
Concept Design Report • 09.02.2010
LIBRARY ARCHIVES MUSEUM PROJECT
SPACE NEEDS
update
Historical Collection (Library) have the most
issues with potential contamination. An isola-
tion room will be used by these two sections
and by Archives when necessary. The Museum
needs a direct access from the loading dock into
the Exhibit area for touring shows. Library and
Archives also need a convenient way to bring
materials into the processing area from receiv-
ing. The loading/receiving area begins the back
of house integration of the sections.
Material preservation involves the treatment of
objects for contaminants, repair and storage. All
sections have some level of paper conservation,
so an area to serve this need has been added
to the program. Storage has different security
and environmental requirements for the various
collections. The Museum collection requires the
highest level of security. The Museum, Archives
and Historical Collections all require specific
and similar environmental controls. Informa-
tion Service’s (Library) Collection is browsable
and has the lowest security and environmental
demands. The various collections also grow or,
potentially, contract at different rates. A large
secure storage area shared between Archives
and the Historical Collection gives potential for
the line between these sections to move as stor-
age needs change.
The preservation of these collections benefits
all Alaskans, a small child may develop a lifelong
interest in history by visiting the Museum; an
intern for a State Senator may look for prec-
edent in the State Archives.
Each section currently “explains” its collections
through a different catalog system. The end
goal of any cataloging system is clear collection
access.
When visiting the new building looking for infor-
mation on a subject, the public should be able to
see what is available from each of the sections
without having to run to different locations and
be confused by numerous cataloging methods.
As the sections develop an understanding of
what resources each has, they will better assist
patrons in their search for information. The staff
is also looking at ways to make cataloging more
transparent. These issues impact the building
program in a number of ways.
Upon coming into the new facility it will be evi-
dent where to enter the Museum Exhibit area
and how to access the other collections. There
will be one entrance to a reading/research room
to serve Information Services, the Historical
Collection and Archives. A service desk will be
attended by staff who can direct patrons to
items in all the collections or to another staff
11
member who will help with the search. This is a
collection for all Alaskans; remote access should
be as comprehensive as possible.
For the staff, collaboration will mean the poten-
tial of cross-disciplinary projects with the goal of
enriching the understanding of these important
State resources. All staff from the Library and
Archives and some staff from the Museum will
occupy a mostly open office space and share a
large processing area. Special project rooms will
be located around the building to facilitate these
cross-disciplinary endeavors.
Each of the sections interprets and commu-
nicates its collections for the public, though
method and level of interpretation vary. This adds
to the discussion of overlapping endeavors.
Sharing the body of knowledge stored in the
building and staff with greater Alaska is a primary
goal of the Library Archives Museum Project.
Outreach will be facilitated through the use of
distance learning technology in meeting rooms.
12
Spaces will be provided for visiting State staff
and Library Archives Museum personnel will
continue to share their resources through the
internet and through actual transport of items
throughout the State. The Museum shares its
objects in a number of ways. The most apparent
is the exhibit hall that provides large numbers
of visitors a broad look into Alaskan history.
Archives and Historical have very similar meth-
ods of sharing collections. The documents need
to be monitored at all times and do not circulate
outside of the research room. Information Ser-
vices has both a circulating and non-circulating
collection.
Understanding how each section shares its
collection was essential to developing the pro-
gram for each viewing area. By placing a secure
research room within the shared reading room,
Archives, Historical and Information Services
can work side-by-side, sharing material and staff
resources. There are also ways to integrate the
Museum into other areas of the building. Exhib-
its will be interspersed throughout the facility,
possibly suspending items from the ceiling in
public areas, such as the lobby, and sometimes
displaying them in secure cases. Within the read-
ing room, the Museum book collections will be
accessible to the public.
Meeting rooms, classrooms, and an auditorium
that seats 120 people will be used for numerous
educational functions. A store will offer items
appropriate to each of the collections and a café
will serve the public.
The centerpiece of the building is the main lobby.
It will serve not just as a passageway to other
rooms and a large social gathering area but,
most importantly, a place where the extraordi-
nary nature of this program will unfold to the
visitor. This building aspires to support a new era
of collaboration between the Library, Archives
and Museum, enriching the lives of all Alaskans
with its rich resources.
ECI/HYER :: THA ARCHITECTURE
 SPACELISTSUMMARYSHEET NetSF TotalGrossSF

PublicArea 13,770 17,213

Lobbies 5,260
MeetingRooms/Auditorium/Classrooms 4,650
Retail 1,700
Misc. 2,160
Administration 4,527 5,885
Offices 827
MeetingRooms 800
Workrooms 1,600
Misc. 1,300
UnassignedSpace 16,150 17,765
Office/Workroom 450
MechanicalSpaces 10,700
Electrical/DataSpaces 2,520
JanitorialSpaces 180
Loading 1,420
Misc. 880
LAMReferenceArea 25,166 32,716
Offices 2,964
Reading/ResearchRooms 9,322
Workrooms 2,400
SecureStorage 10,000
Misc. 480
DigitalandImagingServices 4,769 6,200
Offices 1,069
Workrooms 1,100
StorageArea 400
LabArea 2,100
Misc. 100
Museum 34,253 44,529
Offices 1,453
GallerySpace 16,000
Workrooms 4,300
SecureStorage 10,000
StorageArea 1,300
Misc. 1,200

TOTAL 98,635 124,307

Concept Design Report • 09.02.2010 13

LIBRARY ARCHIVES MUSEUM PROJECT
 the design concepts are inspired by waterside development patterns in juneau and statewide

14
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Concept
The new facility will occupy a site near
the State Capitol, serving the needs of
state agencies locally and a broader
network of constituent agencies
throughout the state. It will act as the
central repository for the exceptional
historical collections of the State .
Library and Archives, as well as the State
Museum’s diverse collection of cultural
artifacts – a major public attraction
during the summer tourist season.
The initial design ideas for the new
Alaska State Library Archives and
Museum Project were developed
through a series of staff and commu-
nity workshops beginning in April of
2010. During the workshops a series .
of themes emerged. These themes .
are used to guide the design process:
Concept Design Report • 09.02.2010
LIBRARY ARCHIVES MUSEUM PROJECT
ARCHITECTURAL.
NARRATIVE
Our Goals. The Building must:
• Fit into Juneau’s historic urban fabric, while
creating a vibrant Library Archives Museum
that celebrates the State of Alaska’s past,
present and future.
• Integrate and streamline Library, Archives
and Museum operations for greater efficien-
cy and responsiveness to the public.
• Increase virtual access to the collections
and resources for the State’s residents and
beyond.
• Be lasting, energy-efficient and sustainable.
The preliminary design of the facility is rooted
in the State’s cultural history. The site layout
reflects the fan of the docks that historically
occupied the site and the roof form is reminis-
cent of the wing and feathers of a bird in flight.
The building and site is viewed from many high
vantage points from around the city; including
the Governor’s Mansion on Calhoun Avenue
and from State Office Building. An inspired and
expressive roof form will be a beacon to the city,
embracing and welcoming visitors from around
the world.
Building Planning
Building Siting and Entry: The building is sited
facing east toward downtown Juneau. The main
entry connects to the large public plaza which
is bounded to the east by Whittier Street. The
extension of the northeastern café into the
plaza helps protect the covered entry from the
strong northeasterly Taku winds that occur peri-
odically during the winter season. The decision
to place the entry at this location was driven by
two primary concerns: 1) The new building and
entry plaza provide a civic focal point and strong
terminus to the future plaza extending across
Whittier Street to the State Office Building; 2) By
placing the entry and circulation core towards
the northeast of the site, tremendous views to
the north, south, and east could be preserved
for enjoyment by library users and staff alike.
General Building Order: The design includes a
generous light-filled, double height entry lobby
with a café, auditorium and shared public meet-
ing rooms on the main floor. The café, auditorium
and meeting rooms are immediately accessible
for evening use without impacting the security
for library or museum. Washrooms are located
conveniently near the entry, servicing the after
15
hour use of these functions. The museum is
located on the main floor to accommodate the
large groups of visitors during the active summer
months and to protect artifacts from direct light.
The reading room is located on the second floor
made accessible by a large public stair allowing
patrons to enjoy the dramatic, unfolding views
to the north, south and east. A staff entry, build-
ing loading and service components are located
on the northwest corner. Space planning has
been greatly influenced by the desire to have
16
maximum visual control by a minimal number of
staff members.
Ground Floor Planning: Entry to the interpre-
tive portions of the museum is adjacent to the
museum store. This allows a single point of con-
trol that can be managed by 1-2 staff persons, and
encourages patrons to purchase items from the
store or visit the café. The interpretive space is
immediately accessible from the back-of-house
functions, including exhibit prep and museum
view opportunities from site
storage, which in turn is immediately accessible
from the northwest loading and service entry.
During the next phase of design, the interpretive
vision will be established and the body of the
interpretive space will be fully understood.
Upper Floor Planning: The main Reading Room
is conceived as a high ceilinged ‘great room’ with
stacks in the center and reading opportunities
along the perimeter. Controllable daylight will
enter the room from high clerestory windows
located around the room’s perimeter. The room
is easily reconfigurable in order to adapt to the
changing nature of libraries. Patrons may enjoy
views of Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts to
the north and east as well as distant views down
Gastineau Channel to the south. The south por-
tion of the great room is entirely glazed to give
the feeling of hovering above the amazing view.
Access to the library will be from the large land-
ing located at the top of the public stair. Patrons
will have clear and easy access to the circulation
desk and have controlled access into the adja-
cent research room.
Basement: The design includes a basement in
order to better accommodate the parking and
mechanical needs of the Library, Archives and
Museum. Eighty parking spaces are planned
with vehicular access from Whittier Street into
the northeast corner of the site. A large public
elevator and stair will provide access to the pub-
lic lobby for the Museum and Library above.
ECI/HYER :: THA ARCHITECTURE
Sustainable Design
Energy conservation is a primary concern for
the State Library, Archives and Museum Project.
Maximizing the benefits of natural lighting and
minimizing energy loss are achievable goals.
At the outset of the project, staff and patrons
expressed a strong desire to provide daylit
spaces and to minimize long-term operating
costs. Space planning and the design of the
building “skin” will be carefully coordinated to
take advantage of daylight. The goal moving for-
ward will be to integrate time-tested “passive”
and “low-tech” strategies with the economical
and complementary use of new technologies in
an effort to save energy while at the same time
providing for the well-being of patrons. Deci-
sions will be guided by real data based on energy
modeling of the building.
The energy-efficiency strategy will primarily focus
on the building “skin.” Roof and walls will have
continuous insulation without thermal bridges
and will be a vast improvement over traditional
construction assemblies. Other assemblies, like
windows, will be thermally “broken” and will
be triple-glazed where appropriate. Since cool-
ing loads in southeast Alaska are relatively light,
Concept Design Report • 09.02.2010
LIBRARY ARCHIVES MUSEUM PROJECT
cooling will be handled primarily through natural
ventilation and economizer cooling. The more
highly controlled spaces in the museum and
storage spaces will likely require some means of
mechanical cooling.
To ensure the success of these strategies, staff
and operations personnel will be comfortable
with the design direction and should be part of
the start-up and testing phases of the project.
Emphasis will be given to building systems that
can be easily maintained and operated by local historic Juneau dock forms
personnel.
Materials and Methods
In all areas of construction, emphasis will be
placed on materials and assemblies that provide
low-tech and economical construction. This
means of careful planning is based on standard
material units that facilitate little construction
waste. Durable materials and assemblies will
be favored over those that are complicated and
have high maintenance. Wherever practical, fin- inspiration sketch
ish materials will be avoided, allowing structural
materials to be expressed thus minimizing over-
all material consumption.
site plan sketch
17
 CONCEPT
dIAGRAMS

Ground Floor Planning Upper Floor Planning

18
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... The site layout reflects the fan of the docks that
historically occupied the site, and the roof form is
reminiscent of the wing and feathers of a bird in flight ...

Concept Design Report • 09.02.2010 19

LIBRARY ARCHIVES MUSEUM PROJECT
 CONCEPT
FLOOR PLANS

Loading

Elev.
W Security
Wd. Crate Ed. Classroom Off.
Wood Iso.
Stor. Storage Coll. Museum
Work Volunteer Cafe
Sup. Staff
Shop M M Lock.
Elev.
Conf. Conf. Auditorium
W

Clean
Lobby
Shop
UP Vest.

3D
Con.

Cons.
Supply Store
Wet Lab Museum
Photo Lobby
Wet Lab
Secure Storage
Storage Pro-
cessing 2D
Con. Museum
Exhibit

M W
Col. Disp.

Ex.
Stor.

Coll.
Sup.

Ground Floor Plan

20
First Floor Plan ECI/HYER :: THA ARCHITECTURE
 KEY

Public Activity Space

Museum Exhibit Space

KEY
Staff | Staff Support
Public Activity Space
Storage
Museum Exhibit Space
Building Support
Staff | Staff Support
Library Space
Storage

Building Support

Library Space
Roof 0 20 40 80’

Elev. 0 20 40 80’
W
Micrographics Special Technical and Class-
Administration Outreach Staff
Projects Service room
Workspace M M Elev.
W

DN

Supply Open Roof

Service
Special Desk
Processing
Projects
Video
Conf. Research
Room
Reading
Secure Room
Storage

Microform
Storage
Readers

LAM
Offices
Roof
Terrace

Staff

Upper Floor Plan

Concept Design Report • 09.02.2010 21
LIBRARY ARCHIVES MUSEUM PROJECT
Second Floor Plan
 KEY

Public Activity Space

Museum Exhibit Space

Staff | Staff Support

Storage

Building Support

Library Space

0 20 40 80’

HC

Elev.

HC
HC

HC

Parking

Mechanical

Lower Level Parking Plan

22
Lower Level Parking Plan ECI/HYER :: THA ARCHITECTURE
 project location

Concept Design Report • 09.02.2010 23

LIBRARY ARCHIVES MUSEUM PROJECT
 landscaping will be informed by local textures and native plantings

24
ECI/HYER :: THA ARCHITECTURE

Site Context and Location
Situated at the confluence of important natural
borders and urban corridors, the site presents
opportunities to create connections, to link the
waterfront to the site, to further develop the
arboretum, and to create a public plaza as an
important outdoor space.
Located between the Gastineau Channel and
Mount Juneau, the site occupies an area that
was once a tidal beach. A spillway or tailrace
from an historic hydroelectric plant and a shop-
ping center form the western boundary to the
site. Egan Drive, an important highway, along
with a restaurant, hotel and radio station forms
the southern boundary, with the waterfront one
block further south. The eastern site boundary
is Whittier Street, which separates the museum
site from a collection of surface parking lots,
Willoughby Street, the State Office Building and
downtown Juneau. Immediately north of the
site is a motel, restaurant and Willoughby Street
where the outline of the beach is still somewhat
visible. Two well used pedestrian corridors serve
the site: between the State Office Building and
the shopping center (east-west) and from the
waterfront to the museum (south to north).
Concept Design Report • 09.02.2010
LIBRARY ARCHIVES MUSEUM PROJECT
SITE & LANDSCAPE.
NARRATIVE
Site Conditions
The site is built on rock fill that dates from the
city’s hard-rock mining period. The fill is porous
and is subject to inundation by tidal waters.
Generous precipitation and maritime conditions
make this area conducive to growing plants from
most parts of Alaska. Prevailing winds enter the
site from the southeast with the occasional Taku
winds coming from the northeast.
The area to the east of the site is typified by a
lack of clear connectivity and scattered parking
lots, in spite of being a major pedestrian pas-
sageway. The tailrace on the west side of the
site is partially exposed with the power com-
pany planning on completing the piping within
the next four years. Currently, tour buses enter
the site and pull directly to the building entry. A
collection of trees and shrubs with interpretive
signs forms an arboretum on-site.
Vehicular Access and Circulation
This plan proposes to relocate the bus drop-off
zone to the Whittier Street edge. This move will
allow the site to reclaim its frontage as a plaza
and event space, keeping buses close to the
street for easy arrival and departure. The staff
surface parking and loading facilities are relo-
cated to the north side of the building and will
accommodate up to two tractor trailers and two
smaller delivery vehicles. Public parking is under
the building.
Pedestrian Circulation and Entrance
Plaza
Pedestrian access to the site will come primar-
ily from the east with clear views into the entry
plaza. This east access from downtown and the
State Office Building will be further strengthened
by the plaza’s future extension into the eastern
parcel across Whittier Street.
The other important pedestrian access to the
site is from the south. Pedestrian access over
Egan Drive is addressed with a path that can
connect to a proposed pedestrian bridge that
will link the existing waterfront path to a north-
south pedestrian path. This passage will provide
an opportunity for tourists to cross the highway
to the site. The path will continue north through
a naturalized corridor along the western site
boundary connecting to Willoughby Street.
25
 2

3
1 to be an elegant and enjoyable public space. This
1 New LAM building
2 State Office Building
3 proposed pedestrian mall
Mall Concept -- Interim Build-out
2 and provide ample topsoil depth for trees and
3
1
Mall Concept -- Full Build-out
Landscape
The entry plaza is designed to be low mainte-
nance, safe and flexible enough to accommo-
date a variety of event programs and uses, and
entry plaza is seen as a first step towards creat-
ing a public open space and arboretum that later
expands towards the east to create additional
public space and to continue uniting the district.
The plaza landscape will represent a balance of
plantings and hardscape, reflecting local materi-
als and textures. Due to the rock fill at the site,
trees will be placed in a raised planting area sup-
ported by stone and good topsoil. Sightlines are
maintained throughout the planted areas by the
use of low growing herbaceous plants. Raised
plantings will define paths within the plaza space
other plants.
The arboretum will be a lightly forested zone
on the south side of the museum, providing an
entry to the north-south trail. On the north side
of the building, tree plantings will buffer the staff
entry and parking area. Plaza paving and planter
designs will reflect the glacial activity typical
of the region: exposed rock faces; scored and
grooved paving surfaces will provide a sense of
detail and directionality. Seating and other fur-
nishings will further reflect the rock outcrops
found in the nearby mountains and the forms of
dugout canoes.

26
ECI/HYER :: THA ARCHITECTURE
 y Ave
n ue
CONCEPT
Wil
lough
b
Site Plan

Wh
ittie
r S
tre
6 3

et
9
4

2 8
1

8
5

1 building footprint
5
2 entry plaza

3 underground parking entry

4 bus drop-off

5 pedestrian trails
5 6 service/maintenance area

7 staff parking
venue
Egan A 8 art/sculpture

9 outdoor café seating

Concept Design Report • 09.02.2010 27

LIBRARY ARCHIVES MUSEUM PROJECT

Assumptions
Two-story building with a total building area
of approximately 114,000 sf plus 10,600 sf of
mechanical space and 82 stalls of parking below
grade. Building will be constructed according to
the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and
all applicable local and state code amendments.
The following study is based on the 2006 IBC as
the 2009 version has yet to be adopted.
Occupancy
• A-3 – Assembly (Library, museum, audito-
rium and meeting rooms)
• B – Business (Offices); most likely an acces-
sory occupancy to A-3
• S-1 – Moderate-hazard storage: Archives
(books, files and artifacts)
• S-2 – Low-hazard storage: Parking garage
Occupancy Separation: Non-separated use per
section 508.3.2. Use the most restrictive, A-3, for
construction purposes.
Construction Type
II-A
Allowable Area and Height
• Based on A-3 occupancy, type II-A construc-
tion, and fully sprinklered.
• Basic Allowable area – 3-stories and 15,500 sf
per story
28
Code
Summary
• Allowable Increase – based on 200% allow-
able area increase per floor (IBC 506.3) plus
a 75% allowable area increase for frontage
per section 506.2 = 58,125 sf allowable per
floor.
• Height increase: automatic sprinkler increase
to 4-stories and shall not exceed 85’ per IBC
504.2.
• Area separation between the A-3 and S-1 oc-
cupancies.
Fire Resistance Rated Construction
Incidental Use Areas
• Boiler Room – An automatic sprinkler system
is provided, therefore a separation capable
of resisting the passage of smoke is required
per section 508.2.2.1.
• Storage Rooms over 100 sf – An automatic
sprinkler system is provided; therefore a
separation capable of resisting the passage
of smoke is required per section 508.2.2.1.
• Furnace Rooms w/ any piece of equipment is
over 400,000 Btu/hour input - An automatic
sprinkler system is provided, therefore a
separation capable of resisting the passage
of smoke is required per section 508.2.2.1.
• Book Drop – 2 Hr fire resistant rated con-
struction.
Structural Frame: type II-A buildings
• 1 Hr fire protection as required per table 601
and 602.
Exterior Walls: type II-A buildings
• No fire protection is required for type II-A
buildings which are equal to or greater than
30 feet from a property line per table 601
and 602.
• 1 Hr fire protection is required for type II-A
buildings which are less than 30 feet from a
property line per table 601 and 602.
Interior Non bearing Walls: type II-A buildings
• No fire protection required per table 601 and
602.
Floor Construction type II-A buildings
• 1 Hr fire protection as required per table 601
and 602.
Roof Construction type II-A buildings
• 1 Hr fire protection as required per table 601
and 602.
• Fire retardant-treated wood members shall
be allowed at 20’ or more above finished
floor (table 601, exception C).
Corridors
• Corridors in sprinklered ‘A’ occupancy build-
ings are not required to be fire rated per
section 1017.1 and table 1017.1.
ECI/HYER :: THA ARCHITECTURE
Roof Coverings
• Per table 1505.1, a class ‘B’ roof covering is
required.
Fire Protection System & Requirements
• Sprinklering – Section 506.3 requires an au-
tomatic sprinkler system to help achieve the
desired floor area and construction type. An
automatic sprinkler system is also required
per Section 903.2.1.3 for fire areas exceed-
ing 12,000 sf and when the fire area has an
occupant load of 300 or more. The sprinkler
system shall be designed to the require-
ments of NFPA 13.
• Fire Extinguishers – one type 2A, 10BC fire
extinguisher is required for each 3,000 sf
of floor area with no more than 75 feet of
travel distance to an extinguisher per sec-
tion 906 of the International Fire Code (IFC).
• Fire Alarms – An alarm system with manual
pull stations is required per section 907.2.1
where the occupant load is greater than 300.
The exception to this section allows for the
pull stations to be eliminated when there is
an automatic fire extinguishing system.
• Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan – An ap-
proved fire safety and evacuation plan is
required per IFC 404.2.1. Employee training
in response procedures is required per Sec-
tion 406. Quarterly fire drills for employees
are required per Table 405.2. A detailed seat-
Concept Design Report • 09.02.2010
LIBRARY ARCHIVES MUSEUM PROJECT
ing plan, occupant load, and occupant load
limit shall be provided as part of the plan per
408.2.1.
• Fire Apparatus Access Roads – At the discre-
tion of the Fire Chief, fire apparatus road-
ways are required to extend within 150 feet
of all portions of the facility or any portion
of the exterior wall as measured along an
approved access route per an Alaska State
amendment to IFC 503.1.1. The code official
is authorized to increase the dimension of
150 feet where the building is sprinkled, or
the roads cannot be installed due to topog-
raphy.
Exiting
• Occupant load – per table 1004.1.1, the
occupant load is calculated at 300 sf gross
for accessory storage areas and mechani-
cal equipment rooms, 7 sf net for assembly
areas with concentrated and non-fixed chair
seating, 5 net sf for assembly areas with
standing space, 15 net sf for unconcentrated
tables and chairs, 100 gross sf for business
areas, 200 gross sf for kitchens, 50 net sf
for reading rooms and 100 gross sf for book
stack areas.
• Occupancy signage – per section 1004.3,
every room or space that is an assembly
occupancy shall have the occupant load of
the room or space posted in a conspicuous
place, near the main exit or exit access door-
way from the room or space. Posted signs
shall be of an approved legible permanent
design and shall be maintained by the owner
or authorized agent.
• Exit Separation – Where two exits are
required, the distance between exit doors
must be a distance apart that is a minimum
of one-third the diagonal of the area served-
per section 1015.2.1, exception 2 for auto-
matic sprinkler systems.
• Number of exits – Two exits or exit access
doorways are required from any space with
an occupant load greater than 49 per sec-
tion 1015.1.
• Maximum Travel Distance – 250 feet per
table 1016.1.
• Maximum Dead End – not to exceed 20 feet
per section 1017.3. However, per exception
3, a dead-end corridor shall not be limited
in length where the length of the dead-end
corridor is less than 2.5 times the least width
of the dead-end corridor.
• Maximum Common Path of Egress Travel – .
not to exceed 75 feet per section 1014.3.
• Panic Hardware – Panic and fire exit hard-
ware is required at each means of egress
serving an occupant load of 50 or more per
section 1008.1.9.
• Corridor Width – Corridors may be no less
than 44 inches in width per section 1017.2.
29
• Emergency Lights & Exit Signs – The entire
building is required to have emergency
lighting and exit signs per section 1006.1
and 1011.1. Exceptions: Approved exit sign
illumination means that provide continuous
illumination independent of external power
sources for duration of not less than 90 min-
utes, in case of primary power loss, are not
required to be connected to an emergency
electrical system per section 1011.5.3.
• Address Numbers – The Fire Chief may
require address numbers plainly visible and
legible from the street.
• Key Boxes – The Fire Chief may require an
approved key box.
Zoning Requirements
Per Zoning requirements for the City and Bor-
ough of Juneau:
• Setbacks - 5’ all sides
• Height Limitations – 35 feet max. (Possible
height increase to 45 feet with CBJ credits,
or with a variance or planned rezoning of
the area).
• Landscaping – Will meet planning and zon-
ing requirements.
• Parking – per City of Juneau Planning
Department with anticipated extension of
Cultural District Overlay (60% reduction).
• Loading zones – 4 required

30
ECI/HYER :: THA ARCHITECTURE
ECI / Hyer Architecture & Interiors
101 W. Benson Boulevard, Suite 306
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
907.561.5543

THA Architecture
733 SW Oak Street, Suite 100
Portland, Oregon 97205
503.227.1254