Overview of the Perkins Project

The goal of the Perkins Project is to create a functional, aesthetically appealing, accessible, and welcoming library that supports the university’s mission and the individual needs of faculty members and students.

In this first phase of the project, construction of the von der Heyden Pavilion and the Bostock Library has addressed the Duke libraries’ chief priority: to increase space for student and faculty use. The informal areas, reading rooms, group study rooms and carrels, all attractive, well-lighted and well-appointed, and many with inspiring views of the campus, make the library a desirable destination for individual study and research, as well as collaborative work.

The continuation of phase I of the Perkins Project, in which the first floor of the Perkins building will be re-envisioned and completely renovated, will bring public services together at the physical center of the Perkins Library complex, in close proximity and relationship to services and collections on Bostock’s first floor and lower level. The Perkins first floor will re-open in mid-2006.

Details of future phases of the Perkins Project are being finalized. These phases are expected to include renovation of additional floors and stack areas, re-positioning of the entrance to Perkins, and renovations of the older reading rooms along the main quadrangle. This carefully planned and coordinated pairing of renovation of existing buildings with new construction will produce a spatially and programmatically unified library, achieving the project goal.

Some facts about the Perkins Project

• Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott
• Office of the University Architect, Duke University

• Bovis Lend Lease

• Thomas Moser
• Alfred Williams

• Jon Roll & Associates

• Lappas + Havener

• The Bostock Library has been constructed in accordance with LEED standards and has been registered with the US Green Building Council.
• The Bostock building is much more energy efficient than Perkins. It will use the campus steam heat and chilled water system for heating and cooling, whereas Perkins is all electric. The Perkins building will be converted to more efficient systems as part of its ongoing renovation.
• Landscaping around the new buildings will be all native plants that require little or no irrigation.
• As much as 50% of construction waste has been recycled.
• A significant proportion of the materials used in construction were procured from local or regional sources (within 500 miles) to reduce transportation costs and associated energy consumption and to promote the local economy.
• The wood and carpeting in the new buildings are formaldehyde-free. The use of these "low emitting" materials means there will be less "off-gassing" in the new facilities (chemicals being released from new materials) and a healthier indoor environment.
• Electrical consumption for lighting will be lower than in Perkins because the building has been designed with more natural light available.