FROM THE AIA:
The new 9,500-square-foot West Branch of the Berkeley Public Library is the first certified Living Building Challenge zero net energy public library in California. The building’s energy footprint was minimized through integrated strategies for daylighting (the building is 97% daylit), natural ventilation and a high performance building envelope. An innovative wind chimney provides cross-ventilation while protecting the library interior from street noise. Renewable energy on site includes photovoltaic panels and solar thermal panels for radiant heating and cooling and domestic hot water. The library exceeds the 2030 Challenge and complies with Berkeley’s recently-enacted Climate Action Plan.
JURY COMMENTS:
This is a beautiful net-positive library on one of the main streets of Berkeley. The design refers back to the prototypical libraries of the 19thcentury: tall spaces, daylit reading rooms, and a sense of quiet and simplicity. The building skillfully incorporates passive strategies for daylighting and natural ventilation. At its core, a very simple building that creates a very successful and adaptable space.
BY THE NUMBERS:
- Estimated percent of occupants using public transit, cycling or walking: 50%
- Daylighting at levels that allow lights to be off during daylight hours: 97%
- Lighting Power Density: 1.7 watts/sf
- Views to the Outdoors: 95%
- Percent reduction of regulated potable water: 58%
- Total EUI actual (kBtu/sf/yr): 25
- Net EUI actual (kBtu/sf/yr): -11
- Percent reduction from National Median EUI for Building Type (actual): 76%
