Project profile: West Branch of the Berkeley Public Library

The new 9,500-square-foot West Branch of the Berkeley Public Library is the first certified Living Building Challenge zero net energy public library in California. The building’s energy footprint was minimized through integrated strategies for daylighting (the building is 97% daylit), natural ventilation, and a high performance building envelope. An innovative wind chimney provides cross-ventilation while protecting the library interior from street noise. Renewable energy on site includes photovoltaic panels and solar thermal panels for radiant heating and cooling and domestic hot water.

Building program type(s): Public Assembly – Library

West Branch of the Berkeley Public Library; Berkeley, California; Harley Ellis Devereaux

(2016 AIA COTE Top Ten award recipient)