Green Library

Spent much of the weekend visiting friends up in the Lansing, Michigan area. We took a nifty trip over to the library in Hastings, an hour or so away, and thanks to a friend in high places there, we took an after-hours tour.

This is a new building that incorporates a bunch of new green building technology. Most impressive to me is a very simple concept: the light shelf. You stick this reflective shelf (or shelves) at certain heights along a big window, inside the building. The light comes down, reflects off the top of the shelf, and bounces on into the interior, reflecting off the ceiling, and bringing natural light way back into a room. Here's a drawing of the effect a light shelf can have:
You can see the shelf placement in the windows in the picture of the library above.

Here are some other cool (or warm, as needed) features of this not-your-father's library:

First, it was built on a brownfield site with old fuel tanks. A barrier was constructed beneath the new library to seal off any nastiness.

The library has areas of "eco roofs" with plants growing, to contribute to storm water management.

Also, the back parking lot has heaters built in so theoretically, snow melt or rainfall is channeled off the parking lot into a rain garden with native plants for storm water management.

The building has low-energy lighting that shuts off when it notices the natural light off the shelves and through the windows is enough, and there are motion detectors to turn lights on and off in interior rooms.

There's a sophisticated HVAC system and plenum flooring that allows fresh air to circulate throughout the building.

There are recycled things all over the building. For example, the carpet squares, which also pull up to allow for easy access to all the electric, computer, and heating/cooling cables and whatnot,
are made from recycled materials. All the restroom tiles are made from recycled glass. They even had all the furniture made in Michigan from sustainable products, with tabletops made from recycled linoleum.

They've got the low flow toilets and waterless urinals. Outside lighting is directed to reduce light pollution.

Anyhow, as a planner and semi environmentalist, I eat this stuff up (not literally, although the paints, adhesives, and finishes are made of low volatile organic compounds!) It's pretty interesting how the "technology" involved is sometimes extremely simple and low-cost. On the high-tech side, the place is wi-fi and there are computers everywhere.

If you want to see some of the stuff I was describing, click here . You can click on any picture on that page to enlarge it.