White Tank Branch Library and Nature Center

Most Sustainable 2011: White Tank Branch Library and Nature CenterDeveloper: Maricopa County Library District
Contractor:
Mortenson Construction
Architect:
DWL
Size:
29,000 SF
Location:
20304 W. White Tank Mountain Rd., Waddell
Completed:
November 2010

The White Tank Branch Library and Nature Center has set and achieved aggressive energy conservation goals. Among them: it is pursuing LEED Gold certification and it has documented a 50% reduction in energy usage beyond a typical code-compliant building. About 25% of the building’s energy is generated on site by a 53.58 KW DC/43.8 KW AC photovoltaic array. The project’s design team also was conscious of water usage, and all fixtures are “low flow,” contributing to a 30% reduction of water beyond a typical library. Other features that contribute to a large reduction in energy usage include the library’s sweeping panoramic windows, concrete shade fins, R30 foam roof insulation, and R13 foil-faced batt insulation to minimize the impact of the desert’s harsh temperature swings. The library is enhanced by its pristine desert location and the inclusion of the park’s nature center, where visitors can combine a trip to the library with lessons learned about their environment.




Honorable Mention: CREST Specialty School

Honorable Mention: CREST Specialty SchoolDeveloper: Paradise Valley Unified School District
Contractor:
Adolfson & Peterson Construction
Architect:
DLR Group
Size:
14,000
Location:
3950 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix
Completed:
October 2010