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Sen Architects LLP
Overview: This new Kensington Branch will be the second high-performance building of the Brooklyn Public Library, one that goes beyond the features of the 1999 South Jamaica Branch Library. The Kensington Branch has been designed with a strong and welcoming Civic presence, and a visual transparency that compliments the great reading spaces within. The Art Commission of the City of New York heralded this project for its successful integration of green design with other human, urban, and architectural aspects. The building will make a delightful library for the users while being environmentally effective. The building will contain a main reading room, a children’s reading area, a computer lab for public Internet use, circulation and staff support spaces, and a multi-purpose community room.
Sustainable Features: Located in a residential area, the building is organized around the concept of daylight, with a central top-lit atrium, north-facing high-performance curtain wall, south-facing garden wall, and sidewall set-back for east exposure. The skylight and main North side glazing bathe the entire library with natural light throughout the daylight hours. A simple computer-controlled louver system installed below the skylights moves with the sun to eliminate glare that may disturb the readers. The high-performance lighting system supports the daylighting, with dimming and occupancy controls. This integrated daylight and electric light strategy will significantly reduce the building’s use of electrical lighting. To accomplish this, the daylighting was simulated using the Radiance computer program.
Ground-source heat pumps will reduce the use of fossil fuels, exchanging between the building and the constant temperature of the earth below the building. The test well indicated that there is sufficient water flow in a layer of sand/gravel 240 feet below-grade to support an open loop system. This system eliminates noisy cooling equipment from the roof, as well as the on-site emissions associated with conventional mechanical systems – making this green building a good neighbor in the residential community. Carefully selected materials and details contribute to good indoor air quality and easy maintenance.
Located in Kensington/Borough Park Brooklyn, New York. Size: 15,000 gross square feet. Construction cost of $8,000,000. Building completion pending (Design commenced 2001).
Client Agencies: Brooklyn Public Library; NYC Department of Design & Construction.
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Water Efficiency
Results
 Potable water use reduced in building
Landscaping uses no potable water
Strategies
Low-flow fixtures, flow restrictors
Native drought-resistant plants requiring no irrigation
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Healthy Interiors
Results
Controlled daylight maximized; views outside maximized
Reduced exposure to toxins, volatile organic compounds, urea formaldehyde
Occupant-controlled lighting, heating, and cooling
Building systems and occupants protected from construction contamination
Sound from HVAC components controlled
Strategies
Expansive low-emissivity glazing, controlled from glare – atrium skylights with
louver-controlled sun filters, clear north-facing windows, light shelves/fritted
glass on the east, deep-set south windows
Natural ventilation; air intakes remote from street traffic
Low-emitting paints, adhesives, sealants, non-urea-formaldehyde wheat-
board
Separate ventilation for interior service areas; walk-off grilles
Air quality management during construction planned
AC units mounted on roof curbs; sound attenuators in ductwork
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