ReCAP Library Archival Facility

the opportunity

Formed in 1999 by Columbia University, New York Public Library, Harvard University, and Princeton University, the Research Collections and Preservation Consortium (ReCAP) is a cold-storage book archiving facility in Princeton University’s Forrestal Center campus. The facility houses rarely-circulated books in a high-density, racked environment that ensures the preservation of these valuable materials.

Our Approach

The building design meets the program’s high technical demands and stringent insurance requirements. Because of the value of its contents, the building is divided into 15,000-square-foot modules separated by MFL assemblies that meet the stringent requirements of FM Global; the refrigerated building also provides strict control for temperature and humidity.

A building designed for long-term use must do more than survive; it must also perform efficiently. Because the building’s highest energy load coincides with sunny days, the design team installed a roof-mounted photovoltaic array that reduces the building’s peak demand from utility companies and, as a result, energy costs.

Program

Environmentally-controlled modules for storage of rare/low-use items, 15+ million item capacity, 30-foot high shelving units, advanced temperature and humidity control systems, double MFL walls, 5,000 roof-mounted solar panels

Photography

William Taylor