Summary

Collaboratively, we have decided that to maximize space in the library, we will be adding a second floor into our end design. We will keep the redesigned building in the spot where the current library is located, but we are extending the walls out to the front of the school. There will be two entrances in the final design (instead of the one main entrance that creates a jam during busy library hours). One entrance will be from the front of the school and the second entrance will be placed coming in from the quad inside the school campus. The first entrance will be used for the community during weekends just for safety precautions around the school campus and the second entrance will be for student access during school hours. Another idea we came up with was to insert an elevator shaft and spiraling staircase inside the building so students and the community residents can access both floors. Just as one would see in a college or public library, we will also add sound-proof rooms for students to use if they need to work on a group project or study. The sound-proof rooms will eliminate sound for the occupant to concentrate on their task. Another feature we have discussed about changing is moving the libarians' desk to the center of the library for better monitoring of the students or community residents in the library. As far as "going green" or being energy efficient, we are installing windows that will open and close automatically to allow a better air flow or stop an air flow from entering the building to create air circulation throughout without having to turn on the Air Conditioner or Heater. Just as we saw in the movie about the Museum of Natural Sciences in San Francisco has done, we also will be putting insulators into the sides of the walls to trap heat or cool air in.

Our Director of Interior Design for the architectural firm Muses Of Design, has gathered a decent amount of research on various ways to make our library/community area eco-friendly. A thought regarding energy efficiency, is to use recycled white oak flooring for the majority of the building. It is made from 100% recycled wood to reduce the amount of trees being cut down. It is understandable that one library full of wood is not a tremendously big deal, but every bit counts. Another discovered way to help save energy is through paint brand that promises no chemicals or solvents were used in the making any of their paints. ECOS Paints claim to have no secret ingredients, to be completely odor free, and to be absolutely non-toxic. ECOROCK, another form of drywall, has also been under consideration for use in our building. It is made with 85% by-product and is fully recyclable. Unlike normal drywall it is not susceptible to mold and termites and only uses one-fifth of the energy currently used to make traditional drywall. Lastly, another “green” product is recycled bio-glass. It is made from old, used bottles and can withstand the wear and tear and to said be durable enough to be around for a long time. It can be used for counters, tubs, sinks, etc. and comes in four different colors.

Our Director of Landscape Design will be designing the library’s exterior landscape and hardscape. The landscaper has found possible materials and systems that are sustainable and energy efficient. Deciduous trees are going to be placed around parts of the library to provide shade during the summer and to let in solar heat during the winter. The use of trees can help save energy, since it can make the building a few degrees cooler or warmer. Lights that run solely on solar energy are to be used to light up the library’s exterior. The lights that are going to be used are LED and automatically turn on at dusk. Materials such as recycled glass mulch and broken concrete, which has been removed from another site, are going to replace lawns. The two gardens are going to have only drought tolerant plants so there would be low water needs. The plants are going to be watered by a drip irrigation system that is going to be concealed under the mulch and soil. Gray water (recycled water), along with rainwater, are going to be used to water the plants. The recycled water would be water from the school sinks and a system can pump the water to the garden drip irrigation system. The fences around the garden perimeters are going to be made of recycled materials like lumber and salvaged metals. So far, these are the main designs and plans for the library’s landscape.

Our Director of Sustainability and Energy Efficiency has found a few ways to help conserve and reduce the use of energy in the current library. Solar panels are one way that will help this goal to be achieved. Solar panels collect renewable energy that is given off from the sun and is transmitted into electricity that can be used throughout the library. A second source of conservation of energy is through dual-paned windows. Dual-paned windows trap heat during the cold winter season and prevent heat from entering during hot summer days. Other ways to reduce the use of energy is by turning off all the lights when the room is not occupied, by turning the thermostat down when no one is in the room, and by turning off all the computers and other technologies when they are not being used. Simple things such as these can really make a difference in how much energy is being used. A solar water heater is another alternative that can be used in the library to help eliminate the use of energy. Solar water heaters (solar domestic hot water systems) require at least one well-insulated storage tank that collects recycled water and moves the heated water into the building.

Our Director of Community Relations will be doing everything possible to involve the community is as many ways as possible. One way the community will be involved is through the community gardens that are built on both sides of the building. The community will be able to plant their own flowers in their own plot. This will help with both the aesthetics of the library and of the school itself. Another great way to get the community involved is through art. The tool sheds, as well as a long wall will be available for anyone in the community to paint and decorate. This way, the garden will truly belong to the community. When the work rooms on the second floor are not being used, there will be services (from parenting classes to even driving school classes) available for the community to utilize. Volunteer hours will also be available for those who need them (this has been voiced through interviews conducted with students at school). Volunteering “events” for students will be for helping store books, help beautify the gardens, and etc. The same applies for adults, except more opportunities will be available for adults such as checking books out on the weekends, monitoring the library in general, and etc. With the many additions that are being put into the library will help bring the community in and allow them to be involved with many aspects around the school!

Our director acquiring the building design has took the initiative to study from the aspects of our prior panelists and also the usage of the internet to base our theme of a certain type of a building that is best for our students, community, and most importantly, our push toward an Eco friendly economy. Some main resources that are mainly looked upon for the base of our building as of now are: facade glass, denim jeans, sky-lighting and also steel. The glass we chose is called facade glass which is a recycled glass that has a variety characteristics to add any type of building. Facade usually put into bio gas oven at a high temperature to give a unique color to the glass and when its put in buildings it helps induce and reflective light with a beautiful pigment. These glasses can be stained for a typical design of your room or even as simple as a transparent theme to feel more natural. Second for another eco friendly material we have denim jean insulation which conserves environment, denim jean insulation is made from recycled blue jeans and is well known because it is bacteria resistant, the denim jeans do not have any chemicals mixed along with it and its safe for family and pets. For two more resources we are looking for our building is the sky- lighting and the steel with the sky- lighting we thought it would be a great way to give the library build a natural breeze and shine throughout the day depending on the weather and our temperature desired for certain rooms throughout the community library and last we have the eco- friendly steel provides a more natural feel to the building and also will be less costly for the building in general in most areas and it would also allow less maintenance it that area of the build up.