The new LEED Silver certified Burke Centre Library in Burke, Va., is Virginia’s first LEED certified library. Designed by Grimm+Parker Architects, Calverton, Md., the library is in the shape of a leaf. In the same way a leaf collects water and sunlight and transforms it into usable energy, the library collects water and sunlight and manages it in sustainable and energy-efficient ways.
The 17,000-square-foot (1,579-m2) library opened in June 2008 and features a north-facing glass wall that harvests natural light and brings the interior design to life. It also uses recycled and reclaimed materials, along with durable building materials that result in a healthy interior air quality.
The building’s heat island effect is reduced through the use of light-colored reflective building and paving materials, while irrigation needs are reduced through the use of native, drought-tolerant plants. Controlled natural daylighting reduces the energy impact of manufactured lighting and HVAC systems, while dual flush toilets and energy efficient plumbing fixtures reduce water usage by approximately 41 percent.
The library’s energy efficient design reduces the total energy usage by 29 percent. The library uses carpet, ceiling tile, ceramic tile, furnishings and window frames that are made with 30 percent or higher recycled content. Additionally, more than 97 percent of the construction waste materials were recycled instead of being sent to landfills. The library features a variety of metal products, including exposed structural steel from R&R Fabrication, Prince Frederick, Md.; exposed metal roof deck and joists from New Millennium Building Systems, Salem, Va.; approximately 1,800 square feet (167 m2) of corrugated and approximately 1,200 square feet (112 m2) of ribbed metal wall panels from Morin Corp., Bristol, Conn.; approximately 7,000 square feet (650 m2) of smooth faced metal wall panels from Laminators Inc., Hatfi eld, Pa.; and curtainwall and storefront systems from YKK America Inc., Dublin, Ga.
The general contractor was E.E. Reed Construction L.P., Herndon, Va.; the MEP contractor was S3E Klingemann Inc., Springfi eld, Va.; the structural engineer was Columbia Engineering Inc., Columbia, Md.; the civil engineer was PBS&J, Chantilly, Va.; and the LEED consultant was Sustainable Design Consulting LLC, Richmond, Va.
Laminators Inc.
Morin Corp.
YKK America Inc.
