West Berkeley Public Library in California by Harley Ellis Devereaux

Article source: Harley Ellis Devereaux

The City of Berkeley sought to construct a library that would both serve as a model for sustainable design as well as a community hub for its culturally diverse neighborhood. With the existing library spatially out of date for contemporary requirements and future adaptability, the design team recommended the construction of a new zero net energy (ZNE) structure. Extensive study had revealed the embodied energy required to construct a new ZNE facility would be offset by the ongoing cost of maintaining the existing structure within one year’s time.

Harley Ellis Devereaux sought to construct a zero net energy library that would fulfill the city’s climate action plan and serve as a community hub for the neighborhood, Image Courtesy © Harley Ellis Devereaux

• Architects: Harley Ellis Devereaux
• Project: West Berkeley Public Library
• Location: Berkeley, California, US
• Project Size: 9,500 square feet
• Project Date: December 2013

The project is based at a dense, urban site in downtown West Berkeley, Image Courtesy © Harley Ellis Devereaux

Based on these findings, the city embraced the creation of a new ZNE library that would be both cost-efficient and in line with the city’s ambitious climate action plan. To achieve ZNE status, the design team minimized the building’s energy footprint through a high performance building envelope, daylighting and passive design strategies. Among the building’s unique and innovative features is a wind chimney that was designed to pull in the steady ocean breeze and act as an engine to draw natural ventilation through the building. The team also optimized onsite renewable energy production with solar panels on a compact roof. By relying on radiant heating and cooling, the building is comfortable without traditional HVAC. As a result of these passive design strategies, the library is the first certified Living Building Challenge ZNE public library in California and is on track to produce more energy than it consumes.

The floor plan includes book stacks, computer stations, various seating areas, reading room space, a children’s area, teen room and a circulation desk, Image Courtesy © Harley Ellis Devereaux

To achieve Zero Net Energy status, the design team minimized the building’s energy footprint through a high performance building envelope, daylighting and passive design strategies, Image Courtesy © Harley Ellis Devereaux

To minimize energy consumption in the building, the design scheme utilizes daylighting through a series of skylights and a large glass curtain wall on the main façade. Where possible, the team minimized the amount of electrical lighting in the building, such as in the back office areas, Image Courtesy © Harley Ellis Devereaux

Approximately 90% of the library utilizes daylighting, Image Courtesy © Harley Ellis Devereaux

Patronage at the library has more than doubled since the new library was opened, Image Courtesy © Harley Ellis Devereaux

The library acts as a sort of living room for its culturally diverse neighborhood, Image Courtesy © Harley Ellis Devereaux

Most of the library is in one large room, with spaces set off to differentiate different age groups, including the teen room, Image Courtesy © Harley Ellis Devereaux

The library is the first certified Living Building Challenge Zero Net Energy public library in California and is on track to produce more energy than it consumes, Image Courtesy © Harley Ellis Devereaux

Tags: California, US

Category: Library

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