County of Los Angeles Public Library, Sorensen Library

Green Facilities: Particular attention was paid to the heat island effect of the new Sorensen Library. The building has a high Solar Reflectance Index roof, parking lot spaces paved with light-colored porous concrete, and drought-tolerant landscaping that is fully irrigated by reclaimed water. Solatube skylights bring natural light to the entire building, and automatic controls dim artificial lights when there is sufficient ambient lighting.

New Construction
Architect: Carde-Ten Architects
Size: 10,655 sq. ft.
Cost: $8.4 million
Photo: Douglas Olson Photography