Durango Public Library
Durango Colorado
Building Statistics 1
Building Name: Durango Public Library
Location / Site: 1900 E 3rd Ave, Durango, CO 81301
Occupant Name: Durango Public library
Building Function Type: Library
Size: 42,903 Square Feet
Number of Stories: 2 Floors above grade
Project Cost (including site): $19 million
Building Cost: $12.7 million
Construction Start Date: 2007
Construction End Date: 2008
General Information
Project Team
Owner: Durango Public Library
General Contractor: Okland Construction
Construction Manager: Okland Construction
Architect: BRS Architecture
Landscape Architect: DHM Design
Structural Engineer: Redwine Structural Engineers Inc.
Mechanical Engineer: Enermodal Engineering, Inc.
Electrical Engineer: Reese Engineering
Figure 1: Library Entrance Sign
Figure 2: Back View of Library
One of the main goals of the Durango Public Library was to be able to capture the essence of Durango and its mountain views from within the library. Finding the right site and the positioning of the building was a main part of the design and was accomplished by placing the library near the Animas River. Large windows allow for natural daylight as well as the mountain views from within the library and the building location also provides easy access to the public. Colors of natural elements in the region and local plants were used in the building to incorporate the surrounding area to the interior of the building. There are no known historical requirements of the building or the district where the library was built.
Architecture
Figure 3: Lighting Lounge View
Sustainability
The building wall enclosure consists of primarly the same wall structure but at various thicknesses. Materials that make up the wall include gypsum board, metal studs, R-19 cellouse insulation, sheathing board, wood furrings and an exterior finish of horizontal cement-fiber siding. Though fenestration only takes up 24-25% of the gross exterior wall area, curtain walls and windows are placed to allow for natural light to enter spaces in the library. The library's floors are raised to allow for the use of an underfloor plenum to distribute air to the separate zones. The roof of the library consists of cellouse insulation on top of a metal deck and protective by a TPO weather roofing membrane. A joist system supports the roof assembly and roof equipmnt.
Building Enclosure
The Durango Public Library put a lot of focus into sustainability when being designed which led to eventual LEED rating of Gold (LEED 2.2). Some main points of sustainability in the library include water efficiency, indoor air quality, and materials and resources. With the use of water efficient landscaping and low-flow fixtures and water closest components the building has reduced water usage by 50%. Indoor strategies to decrease water usage include auto shut off faucets and dual flush toilets throughout the building. The library scored 12/15 points for indoor environment quality by having superior air quality and occupant comfort which is made possible by the use of the underfloor HVAC system and low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emitting materials. While the library only scored 4/13 points for materials and resources in the LEED evaluation, they were able to get points from diverting 72% of construction waste from going to landfills.
Building Statistics 2
Mechanical
Electrical
The library is serviced by packaged roof top units and a dedicated computer room air conditioning unit for the server room. The main means of air distribution is through underfloor plenums on each floor. Underfloor VAV boxes are used for perimeter heating during the colder months as well as providing proper pressure for the underfloor air flow. Return air is brought back to the RTUs through ceiling plenums and inline environmental fans that move the air to the return ducts. Hot water is provided to the building by two 520 MBH boilers that use natural gas to produce heat. The hot water is serviced through the building by two hot water pumps in a primary/secondary configuration.
Power is provided to the building through a 1200A, 480/277V, 3-Phase, 4 Wire transformer located outside of the library. The transformer feeds a main distribution center which connects to the multiple electrical rooms, mechanical systems and elevator room. Each electrical room houses electrical panels that service the different areas of the library. No backup generator or means of power was found for the building.
A mix of recessed and free hanging lighting fixtures are used throughout the library's different rooms and mounted lighting fixtures are used on the book stacks to meet the required lighting levels for the vertical book surfaces. Most of the lights are fluorescent bulbs though incandescent bulbs are used as well. Occupant sensors and daylighting sensors are utilized to help decrease lighting levels in rooms not being used to decrease energy usage.
Structurally, the library is supported by a steel structure with concrete and brick being used aesthetically. The building sits on a 5" concrete slab on top of crushed gravel. Moving up from that, the floor finish is raised by 18" pedestals to create the underfloor plenum for supply air. Not all of the floors are raised as the lobby and program rooms sit directly on the concrete slab and the floor finishes for those rooms. The second floor is comprised of the 18" raised floor which sits on a concrete slab, 20 or 26 metal deck, and steel joists. The roof is a metal deck and concrete assembly that supports rigid insulation and a white TPO membrane.
Lighting
Stuctural
Construction
Ground was broken for the libraries construction in June of 2007 and was finished in June of 2008. Okland Construction Company was the general contractor for the project though most of the trades were bid competitively. The project cost $19 million while $12.7 million of that was to the building itself.