Tucker Library Awarded Environmental Design Certification

Tucker's Reid H. Cofer Library has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED-NC) Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, it was announced today.

is the first library bond project in DeKalb County to receive LEED certification at any level.

“The DeKalb County Public Library System is visionary in its approach to sustainability,” said Jerry Voith, vice president and managing principal of Leo A. Daly, designers of the building. “Both the county and our project team wanted to build a library that not only had world-class facilities but also was committed to its sustainable responsibilities. Achieving the LEED-NC Silver certification is proof of that commitment.”

The library opened in January 2010, replacing a much smaller, older library nearby, and was showcased among the top ten projects at the Atlanta AIA Greenprint Design Showcase Conference in March of that year. It incorporates a number of sustainable features:

• Site Selection - The library's site was selected for its proximity to several community amenities and public transportation. The library is located along a busy intersection, and adjoins a residential neighborhood.
• Energy – The library features efficient mechanical systems, an innovative plumbing design that minimizes water consumption, water-efficient landscaping and an outdoor air delivery monitoring system. 
• Indoor Environmental Quality - The facility provides a living room for the Tucker community to enjoy learning, relaxation, and social interaction. Three south-facing bay windows showcase the brick fireplace inside.  Daylighting is a significant component of the facility, with 90 percent of the library having views to the outdoors. A north-facing clerestory window allows indirect light to penetrate the collection areas. A curved stone wall design follows the curve of the street, buffering the noise to the interior spaces.
• Materials – The design team gave special consideration to the selection of the materials, primarily using local and recycled content. While the general contractor developed a waste management plan that implemented diverting 78 percent of the construction waste, the project also was able to minimize the use of wood-based materials, achieving a Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood content of more than 90 percent of the project’s total new wood. Additionally, the specified light-colored roof reduces heat island effect while the envelope assembly and building orientation improves and optimizes the facility’s energy performance.

A press release from the architects says the project was realized through a $230,000,000 bond referendum approved by voters in DeKalb County, of which $54,540,000 is allocated for libraries. The Tucker-Reid H. Cofer branch is one of 13 library construction projects selected in the 2006-2025 Library Facilities Plan.

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