It’s National Library Week, and we are celebrating the substantial opportunities and resources libraries provide to communities.
HEAPY has designed and commissioned more than 220 library projects. This year’s theme “Connect with Your Library” highlights the myriad ways in which libraries bring communities together and connect people to resources, technology, and educational opportunities.
AN INSPIRING CASE STUDY
In 2012, the Dayton Metro Library embarked on a $187 million system-wide infrastructure investment to create a library system of the future – sustainable, equitable, resilient, and inspiring. The Library partnered with HEAPY to transform their public spaces into evolutionary gathering spaces, providing communities with enhanced connection capabilities with access to everything from education resources and job readiness programs, to art, music, and technology.
HEAPY was honored to have collaborated with the owner and project team on this transformative library project that connects communities through welcoming spaces, technology, and other resources.
SUSTAINABLE, EQUITABLE PUBLIC SPACES
Over the course of 8 years, the Dayton Metro Library has built 11 new library branches and renovated 4 other buildings. Sustainability was a major component for these community investments, resulting in 8 LEED Gold and 2 LEED Silver certifications to date and $340,900 in energy efficiency rebates.
The new 224,000-square-foot Dayton Metro Library Main Library in downtown Dayton, Ohio is recognized for a dozen LEED standards including recycled content, community connectivity, water use reduction, thermal comfort, and optimized energy performance. In addition, the quality of the indoor environment, the abundance of natural daylight, and the comfortable yet functional spaces truly create a welcoming space for all patrons.
“Our team worked hand-in-hand with the architect and the construction team to bring the library’s vision to life, creating truly stunning spaces that were extremely energy efficient and wasted fewer natural resources,” Nicholas J. Andrews, Project Manager, HEAPY.
On average, the new and renovated libraries use 35% less energy than a conventional library built to meet energy code. For example, the West Branch library uses 40% less energy and 38% less water compared to a similar baseline building.
HEAPY calculates that the Dayton Metro Library will realize more than $1 million in savings on energy over the next five years.
FOCUSING ON EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Improving community equity is one of five pillars in the Dayton Metro Library Strategic Plan, and every facility investment was made with inclusion and equity in mind. Through this lens, the team considered sustainability, site selection, accessibility, and technology assets.
HEAPY took these diverse needs into account when designing the state-of-the-art mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The engineering team strived to create building systems that would work for each unique space, ensuring easy use for patrons and providing optimized building systems for facility staff.
“We were thrilled to see our designs come to life in these unique community spaces, and pleased that all our designs achieved LEED certification,” Andrews said.
Libraries are so much more than books: They are the cornerstone of a community, providing access to technology, community spaces, education resources, and job readiness programs. We are humbled to partner with the Dayton Metro Library, helping to connect our fellow citizens to a bright future.
To speak with our team about library and municipal design, please contact Dwayne Henderson, Practice Director – Corporate and Government markets.
PROJECT PARTNERS
Shook/Wise; Skanska/ATCS; Group 4 Architecture; and the Dayton Design Collaborative, which includes LWC Incorporated, Levin Porter Architects, Ruetschle Architects, and John Poe Architects.
