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Green Building Information

The new Salt Spring Island Public Library building, which will serve the community for decades to come, combines advanced technology, new low carbon energy management concepts, and a comfortable, efficient and unique artistic design. The project was designed as an equivalent to the 2009 LEED® Gold standard. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighbourhoods.

Within the Building

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning


• Passive mechanical systems are used wherever possible.
• The stack effect (where hot air rises, pulling cool air in from below to replace it) is used to distribute air throughout the building. This type of ventilation also minimizes the circulation of particulate matter, lowers the amount of airborne dust, and provides both a thermally comfortable environment and an effectively ventilated space.
• Operable windows and natural ventilation have been installed, along with dedicated engineered ventilation systems that operate independently of the building’s heating and cooling system.
• Geothermal wells are used as the primary source for heating (with electric heat as a supplement) and cooling.
• The indoor air conditions including temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels, are continuously monitored so that ventilation systems can respond whenever conditions fall outside an optimal range.
• Occupant health, comfort and performance are maximized by providing space / zone control of heat, ventilation, cooling, and natural lighting.
• The effect of the powerful summer sun is minimized by using external shading devices, while making maximum use of desirable solar gains during winter months.
• Adjustable interior window shades are provided to further control solar heat and excess light.
• Windows were installed using insulated double-glazing with a suspended low-e film.
• Solar hot water panels are used for hot water supply and geothermal regeneration.
• Foamed-in-place insulation is used in the walls to ensure a tight air seal and even insulation.

Efficient Fixtures
• The use of low water consumption toilets with sensor controls, and lavatories with sensor faucets, reduces water consumption and ongoing maintenance.
• High efficiency hand driers are available to reduce solid waste and improve sanitation.

Lighting
• The use of daylight is a passive strategy that will improve the indoor environmental quality of the library.
• As a way of saving energy, lighting is controlled through the use of light sensors that sense ambient levels in public areas and room occupancy in segregated areas

The Site

Direct Site Impact
• We are able to conserve water and preserve site and ground water quality by using indigenous, drought resistant and hardy trees, shrubs, and plants which require no fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides and minimal irrigation.

Construction
• Environmental contamination of the building and site during construction was prevented.
• Independent environmental experts and site staff monitored the site continuously during construction to ensure that there were no adverse affects on the adjacent riparian area. Alternative Transportation
• Bike rack is provided for cyclists.
• Two charging outlets for electric vehicles are available. Riparian Area Protection
• All invasive plants were removed and replaced with indigenous species that are appropriate to the specific local environment.
• Storm water runoff is collected from the roof and site.
• An engineered “rain garden” provides catchment in times of high runoff, filters water in the basin, and controls the rate of water release to the stream.