Munday Library and Its Green Features

Now that the newly renovated Munday Library is completed, we can now observe some of the energy efficient and environmentally sustainable impacts it has! The area of the library has been increased by nearly 10,000 square feet and electricity consumption (not counting heating and cooling) has been reduced by 20%.

Energy efficiency has been improved through the implementation of various lighting, cooling and shading additions. The existing exterior walls, roof and the new roof all have new insulation. The windows now have high-performance glazing and the western and eastern facing windows have solar shading louvers to help control passive solar energy intake. The new window glazing is designed to allow light in but keep heat out. The first floor commons is cooled through an under floor air plenum, which releases the cold air up from the ground reducing the energy needed to typically push the air down from overhead vents. On a side note, for those of you who felt the library was just too cold this semester, this should change as thermostats have been installed, which will do a better job at regulating temperatures.

The design team also made sure to take steps to source aspects of the library and its immediate landscape locally with sustainable intentions. Interior finishes were sourced from locally harvested, sustainable cypress wood. Local craftsmen and woodworkers were collaborated with on the custom-designed furniture. Near the 1st floor bathroom, there is a water bottle filling station to reduce the plastic costs and waste that comes with buying individual water bottles. The outdoor landscape features drought-tolerant native species to reduce in irrigation costs.

Now that the newly renovated Munday Library is completed, we can now observe some of the energy efficient and environmentally sustainable impacts it has! The area of the library has been increased by nearly 10,000 square feet and electricity consumption (not counting heating and cooling) has been reduced by 20%.

Energy efficiency has been improved through the implementation of various lighting, cooling and shading additions. The existing exterior walls, roof and the new roof all have new insulation. The windows now have high-performance glazing and the western and eastern facing windows have solar shading louvers to help control passive solar energy intake. The new window glazing is designed to allow light in but keep heat out. The first floor commons is cooled through an under floor air plenum, which releases the cold air up from the ground reducing the energy needed to typically push the air down from overhead vents. On a side note, for those of you who felt the library was just too cold this semester, this should change as thermostats have been installed, which will do a better job at regulating temperatures.

The design team also made sure to take steps to source aspects of the library and its immediate landscape locally with sustainable intentions. Interior finishes were sourced from locally harvested, sustainable cypress wood. Local craftsmen and woodworkers were collaborated with on the custom-designed furniture. Near the 1st floor bathroom, there is a water bottle filling station to reduce the plastic costs and waste that comes with buying individual water bottles. The outdoor landscape features drought-tolerant native species to reduce in irrigation costs.

The Munday Library is the result of a $13 million donation from Pat and Bill Munday. Built over 10 months in 2012-2013, it is designed to bring together students and faculty from all disciplines for creative collaboration and to encourage digital and information literacy. Sasaki Associates designed the building. Read more on the Munday Library.

Blog authored by Sustainability Graduate Assistant, Thomas LaPoint ’15, Professional Science Master’s in Environmental Management and Sustainability.
Image via Texas Society of Architects.

The Munday Library is the result of a $13 million donation from Pat and Bill Munday. Built over 10 months in 2012-2013, it is designed to bring together students and faculty from all disciplines for creative collaboration and to encourage digital and information literacy. Sasaki Associates designed the building. Read more on the Munday Library.

Blog authored by Sustainability Graduate Assistant, Thomas LaPoint ’15, Professional Science Master’s in Environmental Management and Sustainability.
Image via Texas Society of Architects.