New library to use ‘green’ technology
When folks stroll off Lee Street into the new main Kanawha County Library in 2011, they’ll enter what should be one of the greenest buildings in Charleston.
No, we’re not talking about color, although the many windows shown in early architectural drawings of the project do give a definite greenish cast to the building.
Green in this sense refers to a type of design, also known as sustainable architecture. It involves the use of natural materials in nontoxic construction, with reliance on the sun for lighting and heating.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a question that we would do a building that would be environmentally friendly,” said Linda Wright, director of Kanawha County Libraries. “I think that’s something the [library] board had in mind.”
Library architect Steve Branner drew up a list of 15 “green” design elements that could be used in the downtown library which, after a flurry of interest in alternate sites, now seems destined to be built on the library board’s preferred location in the block surrounded by Leon Sullivan Way and Lee, Dickinson and Quarrier streets.
Green architecture is nothing new, said Branner, president of ZMM Inc. on Lee Street West. “This whole green building/sustainability buzzword is nothing more than what architects have been doing for a long time.”
As an example, he pointed to the first item on his list: energy efficient, well-insulated building envelope. Architects for many years have been adding insulation to cut down on heating and cooling costs, he said. Yet this is considered “green” design.
The new library will definitely incorporate at least a half-dozen green elements, Branner said. Reflective roofing materials. Natural daylighting in all public areas. Nontoxic and long-life, environmentally friendly building materials.
Other ideas might be used if they prove economical in the long run.
“There are cost ramifications to all of these — some minor, some significant,” he said. Not including land acquisition, planners estimate the new building will cost about $30 million. “If all of these are added, it may add $1 million to the cost.”
No, we’re not talking about color, although the many windows shown in early architectural drawings of the project do give a definite greenish cast to the building.
Green in this sense refers to a type of design, also known as sustainable architecture. It involves the use of natural materials in nontoxic construction, with reliance on the sun for lighting and heating.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a question that we would do a building that would be environmentally friendly,” said Linda Wright, director of Kanawha County Libraries. “I think that’s something the [library] board had in mind.”
Library architect Steve Branner drew up a list of 15 “green” design elements that could be used in the downtown library which, after a flurry of interest in alternate sites, now seems destined to be built on the library board’s preferred location in the block surrounded by Leon Sullivan Way and Lee, Dickinson and Quarrier streets.
Green architecture is nothing new, said Branner, president of ZMM Inc. on Lee Street West. “This whole green building/sustainability buzzword is nothing more than what architects have been doing for a long time.”
As an example, he pointed to the first item on his list: energy efficient, well-insulated building envelope. Architects for many years have been adding insulation to cut down on heating and cooling costs, he said. Yet this is considered “green” design.
The new library will definitely incorporate at least a half-dozen green elements, Branner said. Reflective roofing materials. Natural daylighting in all public areas. Nontoxic and long-life, environmentally friendly building materials.
Other ideas might be used if they prove economical in the long run.
“There are cost ramifications to all of these — some minor, some significant,” he said. Not including land acquisition, planners estimate the new building will cost about $30 million. “If all of these are added, it may add $1 million to the cost.”
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