Green from the Ground Up: Building the 81st Avenue Branch Library with the Environment in Mind
With its 21,000 square feet of informational resources, meeting space, computer labs and more, the new branch at 81st Avenue will clearly be a major boon to the East Oakland community. But thanks to how the library is constructed, a number of important benefits will extend far beyond neighborhood boundaries.
In 2005, the Oakland City Council unanimously adopted a Civic Green Building Ordinance requiring that all municipal buildings that cost $3 million or more to construct or renovate meet certain standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council. Builders must, at minimum, shoot for the Silver, a designation in USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental rating system that certifies the project’s use of environmentally sustainable techniques and materials.
Some experts estimate that buildings account for 40% of the nation’s carbon footprint. Green buildings reduce these harmful impacts through efficient use of energy, water and materials and improved indoor air quality. The East Oakland branch represents a new level of achievement in municipal environmental stewardship, one that showcases the city of Oakland’s green leadership.
81st Avenue branch design highlights:
Water Efficiency All plumbing fixtures, including toilets, urinals and lavatories will use at minimum 20% less water than conventional fixtures. Drought-tolerant native plantings will sip rather than gulp water. And irrigation controllers and monitoring systems will cut the usual irrigation burden by 59%.
Energy Efficiency “Location, location, location” is not just a mantra for realtors; it’s also a principle for green architects. By carefully setting the building’s orientation and form, these eco-planners are bringing natural sunlight to 95% of the public areas, significantly reducing energy costs. And when funding is available, solar panels will be added to the roof.
Materials and Resources At least 50% of the wood used to build the library will be from sustainably managed forests. Also, flooring made of rubber, cork and 100% recycled content carpet tiles will keep feet firmly planted on earth-friendly materials, as will restroom tiles made from recycled auto glass. And all adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, carpets, composite woods are specified to contain low- or no-emitting volatile organic compounds.
Learn more about green buildings from the Oakland Public Works Agency.