Berkeley’s West Branch Library generates more energy than it uses

Berkeley, Calif.’s new West Branch Library was recently certified as a Net Zero Energy (NZE) Building under the Living Building Challenge certification program (v3.0) of the International Living Future Institute. The certification makes the library the first ZNE public library in California.

Designed by Harley Ellis Devereaux, with Tipping Mar as structural engineer and West Bay Builders as general contractor, the 9,400-sf facility uses mixed-mode natural ventilation, radiant floor heating and cooling, rooftop solar, and extensive daylighting (90% of spaces) to generate more energy than it uses annually (-7,144 kWh).

The West Branch Library also features:

Dense urban site
FSC Certified wood – 97%
On site renewable energy
On site stormwater treatment

Other Building Team members: GreenWorks Studio (sustainability consultant), Moran Engineering (civil engineer), John Northmore Roberts and Associates (landscape architect), and Cumming Corp. (cost estimator).

Now 46 years running, Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report rankings the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. This year a record 519 AEC firms participated in BD+C's Giants 400 report. The final report includes more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.

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