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A new building in Juneau, Alaska, will accommodate three state agencies: the library, archives and official museum. project architect Steve Simpson said the building is designed to bring all three together.

鈥淲hen a visitor visits, as soon as they enter the atrium they are introduced to all three programs,鈥� Simpson said. 鈥淭hat’s all seen through visual connections.鈥�

THA Architecture is designing the building in partnership with .

In addition to the basic areas for the three programs, the building includes a caf茅, a museum store and a public meeting space that can be accessed after hours. A mezzanine-level exhibit will introduce visitors to the museum space.

On the outside, the 118,000-square-foot building reflects its surroundings.

鈥淲e looked at landscape and wildlife as inspiration,鈥� Simpson said. 鈥淭he roof form is based loosely on a bird in flight, and the ceiling form itself has a contour that is indicative of the landscape.鈥�

The building also has a clerestory space to provide views of mountains.

鈥淭he position of the building is such that we captivate those views from the interior. The mountains are sheer faces, and it’s very dramatic,鈥� Simpson said.

Climate presented the biggest challenge in design, he said.

鈥淚t’s a maritime climate, so temperatures can fluctuate drastically. The building envelope is extremely important,鈥� Simpson said.

The team expects to start construction in March 2012, and finish at the end of October 2014.

Other design team consultants include landscape architect and site planner ; museum conceptual planner ; archive planner Laura Millar; digital archivist Caje Creative; mechanical, electrical and communications engineer ; structural engineer ; civil engineer ; cost estimator Davis Langdon; renderer Richard Hoyen; and acoustical engineer . The project contractor is .

Project team members at THA include design principal Thomas Hacker; project manager Jonah Cohen; library planner Kacey Jurgens; job captain Jake Freauff; and Tyler Nishitani.

Project team members at ECI/Hyer Architecture & Interiors include principal-in-charge Brian Meissner; project manager Greg Frosberg and project architect Giovanna Gambardella.听

鈥淥n the Boards鈥� is a weekly feature that spotlights local firms’ best design work. Submissions from architectural and engineering firms are encouraged. Please email [email protected] or call 503-802-7240.