Fitts-Woolard Hall at North Carolina State University

Engineering on display

To make room for rising enrollment, as well as growth in the regional engineering industry, North Carolina State University in Raleigh envisioned a bold new facility. Fitts-Woolard Hall was constructed to meet the next-generation needs of the university’s College of Engineering, while bringing students and faculty onto a campus where they can easily collaborate with other disciplines, and leading thinkers in industry and government agencies. A blend of transparent SunGuard® SNX 51/23 triple-silver coated glass and gently reflective SunGuard® Silver 20 on clear glass creates a stimulating texture across the building façade. This combination supports daylighting while also offering solar performance to reduce demand for air conditioning. While the transparency of glass is always an important consideration for daylighting and views, at Fitts-Woolard Hall, it has a special significance. The facility was designed with a commitment to “engineering on display,” with exposed structural and mechanical systems that support instruction, as well as literal windows into engineering process: Two testing labs are encased in glass and located in prominent places. The labs offer informative views into the hands-on practice of civil and industrial engineering projects to drivers and pedestrians as they pass by.