Boulder Public Library

Project Summary

City of Boulder
Boulder, Colorado

Project Type:
Public library and associated administrative offices

Size:
40,000 gross square feet

Year Constructed / Occupied:
1992 / 1992

Project Details

The 40,000 square foot addition to the Boulder Public Library is an excellent example of the fusion of energy efficiency, daylighting, and architectural design. Situated on Boulder Creek in downtown Boulder, the library design opens to northeast views and daylight. The “wedding cake” clerestory windows capture and distribute daylight to second floor stack and reading areas, while light shelves and curtainwall glazing provide daylight to the first floor stack and reading areas. Nine different low-emissivity glazings are used throughout the building, with their optical properties tuned to glazing function and orientation. Energy efficient electric lighting, high levels of wall and roof insulation, and airtight construction reduce heating and cooling loads. A direct/indirect evaporative cooling system, with variable air handling, variable frequency drives on fan motors and pumps, and advanced controls, satisfies the building’s cooling load.

Sustainable Design Features

High levels of energy conservation and efficiency in all building elements — wall and ceiling insulation, glazing, electric lighting, mechanical system, controls, etc.
High performance glazing tuned by function and orientation.
Aggressive daylighting of all stack, reading, and administrative areas through innovative clerestory and fenestration design.
High efficiency electric lighting, with daylighting harvesting dimming controls in all daylit areas, and time-controlled, occupant-initiated lighting in the stacks.
Direct / indirect evaporative cooling system, with variable volume air handling, variable frequency drives on fan motors and pumps, and an advanced energy management and control system.