SANTA MONICA MAIN LIBRARY EARNS "GOLD" FOR
LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND DESIGN (LEED)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:       February 1, 2007
Contact:  Greg Mullen, Director, Santa Monica Public Library, (310) 458-8611
               Susan Annett,  Principal Librarian, Public Services, (310) 458-8640 

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded the City of Santa Monica’s new Main Library the city’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating.  Opened in January 2006 at 601 Santa Monica Boulevard, the library is the third LEED-certified facility constructed by the city, the Public Safety Facility and Virginia Avenue Park having earned LEED Silver in 2004 and 2006, respectively.

The USGBC is a nationally recognized coalition working to promote environmentally responsible, healthy places to live and work.  The LEED Gold rating is the second highest achievable rating in the point-based rating system, and indicates the building has been independently certified to meet sustainable criteria as developed by the U.S.G.B.C./LEED rating system.  Projects accumulate points, starting with design, through construction and ending with planned operation and maintenance, by satisfying detailed requirements that lead to a healthier environment for the building occupants, the neighborhood, the larger community and the general environment.            

Opened to much community acclaim and drawing nearly 800,000 visitors in its first year of operation, the 104,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Main Library is a model of a user-friendly, service-oriented and flexible facility for the 21st century. It contains the latest in information technology, Wi-Fi access, three levels of subterranean parking and amenities such as public art, a bookstore and a café.  An open and naturally lighted interior environment takes advantage of the ideal Santa Monica climate. Gardens and a 10,000-square-foot central courtyard are landscaped with sustainable plantings.

Among the notable sustainable features of the Main Library are a 200,000-gallon cistern constructed underneath the building to capture rainwater used to irrigate the landscaped areas; the specially treated roof that reflects sunlight, reducing the “heat islands” that contribute to smog; and rooftop solar electric panels that generate renewable energy for the building. Sustainability is integral not only to the design and function of the facility, but also through an ongoing series offered by Library and Environmental Programs staff.  Sustainable Communities through Sustainable Living features programs on green building, water conservation, sustainable landscaping and the eco-footprint.

The project team included the architectural firm Moore, Ruble, Yudell; Consulting mechanical engineer, Syska Hennesy; General Contractor, Morley Builders; LEED consultant, CTG Energetics, Inc.; with Project/Construction Management provided by the City of Santa Monica Environmental & Public Works Management Department, Civil Engineering and Architecture Division.

For more information on LEED Gold rating achievement of the Santa Monica Main Library, please contact the Environmental and Public Works Management Department, Civil Engineering and Architecture Division at (310) 458-8721 or visit:  www.smpl.org/sustainability/ or smgov.net/engineering/index.asp.

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This page was last updated on 02/05/07.