Buildings

Seattle, United States of America

Case study - Seattle Central Library

Electricity Savings

4.5 million kWh/yr

CO2

181 tons annually

Avoided mitigation costs ($40/tons)

$7,227

Summary

The Seattle Library has an innovative energy saving strategy that saves 4.5 million kWh annually. It is a showcase for Seattle's highly successful green building program, along with the Seattle Justice Centre (See best practice - Eco-Building Seattle)

Water Efficiency

All irrigation is provided by rainwater collected from building exterior and stored in a 40,000-gallon tank; interior water use reduced by metered faucets, no-flush urinals and efficient mechanical equipment.

Design and Energy Savings

The new building is designed to outperform Seattle energy code by 10%: Triple-glazed glass with an aluminium expanded metal mesh sandwiched between two panes to reduce heat build-up from sun on the curtain wall; computer-controlled air movement motor controls maximize energy efficiencies; control systems, meter HVAC systems, water usage and energy performance of the building; landscaping and exterior design to reduce "heat island effect"; automatic lighting controls to reduce light pollution; located on major bus routes; bicycle parking spaces.

Materials and Resources

More than 75 percent of demolition and construction waste was recycled; erosion and sedimentation control during construction; re-building on same site; a minimum of 20 percent of the building products used in the Central Library were manufactured within 500 miles of Seattle.