Building 3: Lake View Terrace Library

The Lake View Terrace Library in Lake View Terrace, Calif., ties the community tog­ether with a structure that represents environmental sustainability and utility, as well as beauty. The efforts to attain a platinum LEED rating were successful and resulted i­n a highly sustainable building.

wind turbines generate power
Travelpix Ltd/Getty Images
­The Lake View Terrace Library uses wind energy garnered from wind turbines such as these.­

A PV array provides shade for the entrance and is the source for 15 percent of the library's energy use [source: AIA]. The library also agreed to a contract to ensure that the building uses wind energy, rather than fossil fueled energy. To minimize the need for artificial light, the reading room in the library lies along an east-west axis, which takes full advantage of daylight. Architects designed arch structures for the library to allow ventilation to keep the building cool without reliance on air conditioning. This works well even when there isn't a strong natural wind.

Design specifications incorporated plenty of room for landscaping, while making pavement for parking more space-efficient. With this landscaping, the library reduces the amount of its runoff by 25 percent [source: AIA]. To save water needed for irrigation of landscaping, many of the plants are drought-tolerant, and the system stops irrigation when it's raining. Plumbing features such as aerated faucets reduce unnecessary water consumption as well. These kinds of faucets mix air with the water to maintain a strong water flow while still conserving water use.

Builders were able to use material consisting of recycled content for much of the building. That includes the insulation, carpet and steel structures. In addition, the building's cement consists partly of fly ash. During construction, builders succeeded in recycling about 75 percent of the waste [source: AIA].

The next building you'll learn about uses waterless urinals to cut down on water consumption. Read the next page to learn what other ways this building conserves water.