Laramie County Library

Architectural Energy Corporation provided energy, daylighting, and sustainable design consulting, and LEED® Certification process management to help the design team design a building responsive to energy and environmental considerations, reduce operating costs, and provide a visible expression of sustainable development and design.

Project Highlights

• LEED® Gold Certification was awarded by the U. S. Green Building Council.
• The building is oriented to maximize solar gain in winter, with shading devices to minimize solar gain during the summer.
• Lighting is nearly all dimmable fluorescent T-8 luminaires controlled to respond to available daylight in the space, with each lighting zone having its own local controller.
• The central plant design includes three condensing boilers and variable-speed systems for heating. For cooling, the Library relies on an air-cooled chiller coupled with eight thermal storage ice tanks and variable speed secondary pumping.
• Lightlouver optical daylighting systems were incorporated into the design and installed in the south elevation.
• A water treatment innovation prevents mineral scale formation, inhibits corrosion, and significantly reduces the amount of water used for the building’s condenser water system.
• Water reduction is achieved through the use of waterless urinals, dual-flush water closets, and low flow lavatories.
• Thirty-eight percent of the materials used were recycled, and 39% came from a local manufacturer.
• Eighty-four percent of construction waste was diverted to recycling centers and for reuse at other appropriate sites.
• Erosion and sedimentation control is achieved by the use of stormwater management measures to reduce runoff.