Green construction has been a growing trend for several years. Daylighting, green roofs, solar panels, water management, and certification under the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) continue to gain popularity. The following libraries are each notable for their sustainability features.
San Diego County Library, Fallbrook Branch
Green Facilities: The Fallbrook Branch’s energy performance exceeds baseline standards by 21% because of the building materials chosen. A 3,500-square-foot green roof,believed to be the largest in Southern California, reduces heating and cooling costs while creating an appealing view for passersby. A 500-square-foot Poet’s Patio offers outdoor seating for patrons as well as overflow entertainment space when the library hosts events.
New Construction
Architect: Manuel Oncina Architects
Size: 19,151 sq. ft.
Cost: $10.6 million
Photo: Domin Photography
Centennial College Library and Academic Facility, Toronto, Ontario
Green Facilities: A four-story living wall improves indoor air quality in Centennial College’s Library and Academic Facility, which is targeting LEED Gold certification. Natural light reaches 75% of the interior, while a green roof atop the building’s auditorium and a rainwater-collection system for reuse in washrooms lower the environmental impact and reduce operating costs.
New Construction
Architect: Diamond Schmitt Architects
Size: 103,500 sq. ft. total, 41,750 sq. ft. library
Cost: $31.6 million
Photo: Tom Arban
Garfield County (Colo.) Public Library District, Rifle Branch
Green Facilities: A 53-kWh solar array on the Rifle Branch roof supplies 35–40% of the building’s electrical needs, and a lobby kiosk reveals information about the facility’s solar production and usage on a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual basis. The LEED Gold–certified building also has 93%-efficient natural gas boilers, an underfloor air-distribution system, daylighting controls, and water-saving toilets.
New Construction
Architect: Barker, Rinker, Seacat Architecture
Size: 28,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $6.7 million
Photo: Michael Shopenn
Montgomery County (Pa.) Library District, North Wales Area Library
Green Facilities: The North Wales Area Library was located inside an elementary school for more than 70 years. When the school needed to reclaim the library space for its own functions, the library relocated to a former coaxial connector and cable assembly factory. Renovations to make the space suitable for library use included enclosing and subdividing a loading dock to create a community meeting area that can be accessed outside of library hours, improved exterior lighting and accessible sidewalks, and subdivision of the factory’s administrative area to create offices for staff. Nearly 80% of material removed from the building during demolition was recycled or reused in reconstruction, while a geothermal HVAC system provides climate control (installation shown in bottom photo), and porous surfaces in driveways and parking areas allow water absorption.
Renovation
Architect: CADFM Design
Size: 9,750 sq. ft.
Cost: $2.3 million
Photo: North Wales Area Library
Madison (Wis.) Public Library, Goodman South Madison Branch
Green Facilities: Under-floor radiant heating at the Goodman South Branch helps the library to save 30% on utility costs relative to other similar-sized libraries in the system. Occupancy sensors and daylighting controls automatically adjust artificial lights based on conditions, and every public space has large glass windows that allow daylight in and offer views of the neighborhood. More than 75% of construction waste was diverted from the landfill.
Grey Box Build-Out
Architect: Engberg Anderson, Inc.
Size: 12,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $1 million
Photo: Alloy Photography
Indianapolis Public Library, Garfield Park Branch
Green Facilities: The renovation of the Garfield Park branch improved daylighting, introduced digital HVAC controls with an economizer function, and added a new condensing boiler and low-flow, dual-flush plumbing fixtures. The site also offers rain barrels, a new bike rack, a composting area, a storytelling garden landscaped with native plants and pervious pavers, and electric-vehicle charging stations.
Renovation
Architect: AXIS Architecture + Interiors
Size: 6,400 sq. ft.
Cost: $598,000
Photo: Mike Williams
Delaware County (Ohio) District Library, Orange Branch
Green Facilities: Daylight harvesting and chilled beam technology help reduce energy consumption at the Orange Branch. Construction materials include locally sourced blue vein stone and Forest Stewardship Council–certified Douglas fir. The building offers special parking for low-emitting fuel vehicles.
New Construction
Architect: Dewberry
Size: 33,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $8.9 million
Photo: Brad Feinknopf
Frederick County (Md.) Public Libraries, Brunswick Public Library
Green Facilities: Contractors for the construction of Brunswick Public Library diverted 97% of construction waste from landfills, helping the building achieve LEED Silver certification. A light-colored roof and large glazed windows and skylights improve the energy efficiency of the library’s heating and cooling, and more than half of all wood in the project was Forest Stewardship Council-certified. Low-flow plumbing fixtures and drought-tolerant landscaping reduce the building’s water consumption.
New Construction
Architect: Morris & Ritchie Associates, Inc.
Size: 15,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $2.9 million
Photo: Tara Lebherz and Michael Carlson
University of California Berkeley, School of Law Library
Green Facilities: Sustainable features of UC Berkeley’s renovated School of Law Library include drought-tolerant landscaping, on-site rainwater capture, daylighting, high-performance lighting and ventilation systems that automatically respond to existing climate conditions, and low-flow plumbing fixtures. The project also reduced environmental impact by avoiding unnecessary teardowns and rebuilds. The project is expected to achieve LEED Gold for new construction and LEED Silver for commercial interiors certifications.
Renovation and Expansion
Architect: Ratcliff
Size: 102,000 sq. ft. total, 55,000 sq. ft. expansion
Cost: N/A
Photo: Tim Griffith, Steve Whittaker
Des Moines (Iowa) Public Library, Franklin Avenue Library
Green Facilities: The Franklin Avenue Library is projected to be the first LEED Platinum–certified library in Iowa. A solar thermal collector and thermal storage supplies 85% of the heating load, minimizing the operation of the boiler. The building includes a rooftop photovoltaic system, a staff shower to encourage walking or biking to work, composting of staff-room waste for a neighboring community garden, double-pane fixed windows, LED lighting, and chilled-beam radiant heating and cooling.
Renovation and Expansion
Architect: Benjamin Design Collaborative
Size: 28,590 sq. ft. total, 13,940 sq. ft. expansion
Cost: $7.7 million
Photo: Lucky Soda Photography
University of British Columbia Faculty of Law at Allard Hall, Vancouver
Green Facilities: The UBC Law Library occupies the third and fourth floors of Allard Hall, a building with 160 geothermal wells that will reduce the greenhouse gas footprint of the building by 87%. A reflecting pool in a courtyard collects rainwater, delaying its discharge into the storm water system, while shades and overhangs help to cool the building passively. Building materials include recycled steel, fly-ash concrete that reuses industrial combustion residues, and nontoxic paints and adhesives.
New Construction
Architect: Diamond Schmitt Architects
Size: 24,200 sq. ft. (library), 121,000 sq. ft. (full building)
Cost: $50 million (full building)
Photo: Tom Arban
San Antonio Public Library, Mission Branch
Green Facilities: A closed system collects rainwater and condensate from the air-conditioning system at the Mission Branch to drip-irrigate library grounds. The landscaping features drought-tolerant plants, so no additional water is required for irrigation. The construction project replaced more than 20% of the previously asphalted area with vegetation.
New Construction
Architect: Kell Muñoz
Size: 16,450 sq. ft.
Cost: $8 million
Photo: Chris Cooper
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
District of Columbia Public Library, Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library
Green Facilities: The LEED Gold–certified Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library offers extensive daylighting with sunscreens to filter direct sunlight, as well as occupancy sensors to control artificial-light levels. The building has a vegetative green roof, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, low-flow faucets, and dual-flush toilets.
New Construction
Architect: The Freelon Group
Size: 22,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $13.5 million
Photo: Mark Herboth Photography
San Diego County Library, Ramona Branch
Green Facilities: Solar panels provide 20% of the energy required to operate the Ramona Branch, while a heat-reflective roof, insulated building materials, and water-efficient restrooms also contribute to the sustainability of the design. Drought-resistant landscaping reduces the amount of irrigation required, and an efficient irrigation system adjusts watering times based on current weather conditions.
New Construction
Architect: Manuel Oncina Architects
Size: 21,500 sq. ft.
Cost: $13.9 million
Photo: Domin Photography
University of New Brunswick, Saint John, Hans W. Klohn Commons
Green Facilities: An electric elevator only requires power when going up; when coming down, it generates power for the Commons, which contains the library and a number of academic services. Floor-to-ceiling windows minimize the amount of artificial lighting the building requires, while recycled grey water is used to flush toilets.
New Construction
Architect: B+H Architects
Size: 40,000 sq. ft.
Cost: $25 million
Photo: Deborah Eves