TMP’s ongoing history of excellent service on projects with the State of Tennessee led us to be a part of the Design Team with Anecdote Architectural Experiences (formerly Tuck-Hinton) for the New State Library and Archives Building at the east side of the Tennessee Bicentennial Mall. This new three-story, $100-plus-million, 165,000-square-foot facility will be a more welcoming destination for state citizens and visitors while housing the state’s records and documents.

The building has a concrete structural frame and durable exterior materials including limestone and granite to help protect the contents within the building. The C-shape of the building creates a multi-purpose west courtyard with an axial relationship with the mall’s court of three stars. The building’s inviting and convenient main public lobby off the mall and 5th Avenue, in addition to the large conference center on the north side of the building, will promote many more visitors for research and education. The second floor’s main Tennessee Reading Room has convenient public access from the main lobby with exceptional views out over the mall.

One of the most unique design features is the Automated Storage and Retrieval System, a state-of-the-art, robotic document retrieval system in a temperature- and humidity-controlled, secure two-story chamber. Compared to typical “compact” storage, this system allowed a reduction of 80,000 square feet from the original building program. The building also contains offices, preservation services, a conservation lab, and an underground parking garage.

Client

State of Tennessee

Location

Nashville, TN

Square Feet

165,000

Design Services

Architecture

Interiors