Bruce Flynn, AIA and Susan Reilly, P.E. will discuss the design and construction process that lead to the opening of the Durango Public Library in December 2008. Understanding that successful public libraries serve all sections of the community, the new library design includes a beautiful open gallery space, current book handling technology, self check-out, a Café and Friends of Library store, a cozy lounge that opens on to a patio overlooking the rivers and pedestrian trail, book collection sections for all ages and interests, a homework center for youth, computer and AV access, and public meeting spaces.
The Durango Public Library is seeking LEED Gold Certification and hopes to be the first library in Colorado to achieve this rating. The library is 42,000 sf and serves 700-800 users a day. A main goal of the library is to be a sustainable design teaching tool that educates and gives back to the community daily. Throughout the design and construction of the new library, there was incredibly strong community support for sustainable design solutions that benefited the public and the employees. The design team addressed existing site conditions, public access issues, pollution from train exhaust, exterior shading and daylighting alternatives, mechanical options, and indoor air quality solutions.
A few of the key sustainable design features include: ex tension of bike trail to library, sharing of parking with existing properties surrounding the library, pint urinals and low-flow fixtures resulting in 50% reduction in interior water use, shading of south and west facades, tuned glazing by façade, daylighting controls, expansive views to river, under-floor air delivery, 72% construction waste diversion, 23% regional materials, 15% recycled. |
