For Immediate Release: Monday, February 22, 2016
Montgomery County Public Libraries’ Silver Spring branch has earned Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED Gold certification is one of the highest ratings available in the green building certification program.
The Silver Spring Library building, located at the intersection of Wayne Ave. and Fenton St. (900 Wayne Ave.), opened June 20, 2015.
The building features many energy-saving elements, including a design that introduces natural light throughout the interior space. The facility scored high marks for the convenient access to public transit and the provision of bicycle storage and alternative parking capacity. Interior office and conference room lighting automatically switches off when rooms are not occupied. Restrooms have water-efficient toilets and sinks. The library has a vegetated roof that works to heat and cool the building more efficiently and provides a natural absorption and irrigation system.
The library occupies about 63,000 gross square feet on the top three floors of the approximately 90,000 gross square foot structure. The first two levels will be leased for arts-related and street-level retail uses.
“We are proud of our Silver Spring Library,” said Parker Hamilton, Public Libraries director. “Not only does our library provide a flexible and adaptable space to connect our residents with ideas and information, it is also a model for environmental sustainability for our present and future generations.”
“LEED Gold certification for the Silver Spring Library underscores the Department of General Services commitment to delivering environmentally responsible facilities,” said Director David Dise. “The prominent location in downtown Silver Spring showcases our efforts to present an aesthetically striking library that is also functional and energy efficient.”
Designed by the architectural firm The Lukmire Partnership, Inc. and built by Costello Construction of Maryland, the library is Montgomery County’s first three-story, urban library.
The U.S. Green Buildings Council (USGBC) developed LEED to identify criteria that positively impact the energy and environmental characteristics of a building, including site design, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality..
Montgomery County has nine LEED-certified buildings. In addition to the Silver Spring Library, seven other facilities are LEED gold certified - Animal Services and Adoption Center, Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operations Center, Gaithersburg Library, Judicial Center Annex, Olney Library, Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center, and White Oak Community Recreation Center.
For more information on the Silver Spring Library go to Montgomery County Public Libraries. For more information on the Department of General Services go to Montgomery County Department of General Services.
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