Duvall Library Achieves LEED Silver Certification
/Every building design comes with a unique set of opportunities for environmental stewardship. As architects, one of our goals is to use the tools we have to make the most out of those opportunities. With every day there comes an increasing diversity of technologies and materials to help our buildings reach new standards of efficiency--but true sustainability also requires a more nuanced understanding of a building's immediate environment. How does a structure respond to and interact with its surroundings? How to you design a building that harmonizes with the ecological realities of its habitat?
The Duvall Library, designed by Johnston Architects and finished in 2012, is a great example of how a building can maximize the benefits of its surrounding environment. Recently designated as a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Silver building, The Duvall Library employs a number of sustainable design elements, including:
An expansive green roof that returns an element of plantlife to the landscape, helps the building better handle stormwater runoff, and keeps the building cool in summer months.
A ground source heat pump system, which uses 300-foot-deep geothermal wells to help efficiently control the ambient temperature of the building.
An advanced lighting system within the building uses LED lights where possible and automatic daylight sensors near windows to reduce electricity usage.
The Duvall Library's LEED Silver designation marks another chapter in our ongoing mission to create quality sustainable design. Click here to learn more about the project.