UF’s Library West receives green building certification

July 26, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The newly renovated Library West now ranks as one of the most environmentally friendly buildings on campus.

Library West has received gold certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. It is only the second building at UF to attain gold status. Rinker Hall, the first, was certified gold in 2004.

LEED ranks new and existing buildings based on their site planning, water management, energy management, material use, indoor air quality and innovation and design process. To receive gold certification, the second-highest rating, a building must earn 39 of a possible 69 points in those six areas. Library West earned 40.

The library’s sustainable features include low-flow plumbing fixtures, such as waterless urinals, that have dramatically reduced water use, exceeding the standards of the Energy Act of 1992 by 30 percent. Also, the building was designed with increased insulation on the walls, roof and occupancy controls, resulting in energy saving of 30 percent above American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers standards.

Inside Library West, carbon dioxide monitors have been installed, and all interior materials — including sealant, adhesive, paint, and carpet — contain low or zero volatile organic compounds, which can evaporate and become toxic fumes. Most noticeably, building occupants have access to daylight and views throughout more than 90 percent of the space, an unusual quality for a library, and one that has shown significant positive effects.

According to Bahar Armaghani, assistant director of the LEED program at UF, studies have shown green buildings increase productivity, reduce absenteeism and improve performance. In fact, many of the new features of Library West were suggested by the library staff to create the most comfortable, effective workplace possible.

Ultimately, Armaghani hopes to instill the principles of sustainability in UF’s student population.

“UF plays a leading role in training leaders to make difference in the world,” Armaghani said. “Students will have [a] major environmental impact as consumers [and] conservers when [they] depart campus.”

In addition to Library West, the Veterinary Medicine Food Animal Facility was recently certified by LEED, earning 28 points of the 69. The McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity was certified in 2005.

On the list of future projects to be renovated to meet LEED standards are Hume, Yulee, Mallory, Reed and Murphree Halls, as well as the Gator Corner Dining Facility and the Broward Dining Facility and many more.

The project managers for the Library West construction were Chris Eastman and Bahar Armaghani. The architect and engineer was Long & Associates. The contractor was Biltmore Construction Inc.