B. Thomas Golisano Library at Roberts Wesleyan College

LEO A DALY

Roberts Wesleyan College's challenge was to design an academic facility that would become the first of its kind to achieve LEED-NC® Silver certification. LEO A DALY and SWBR Architects designed the B. Thomas Golisano Library and overcame several obstacles to respond to the challenge. Some of these library-specific challenges were:

• Using geothermal wells to regulate the temperature of the two-story, 43,000-SF facility

• Using as much daylighting as possible despite library shelves limiting natural light to penetrate only one-third of the way into the center from all sides

• Using traditional library elements to meet the LEED® holistic approach to sustainable design

The building design called for geothermic wells, ranging from 49' deep to 340' deep. The drilling for these wells was a first-time challenge. In order to achieve LEED® Silver certification, LEO A DALY and SWBR not only designed the wells but completed assessments to ensure the building operated as designed. The building also uses energy derived from wind or biofuels, greatly reducing its carbon footprint. Roberts Wesleyan College does this by purchasing renewable resource energy from New York-based Hess Energy.

The LEED® standard for daylighting is for natural light to get to the center of the building from all sides. With library shelves limiting daylight from side windows, LEO A DALY and SWBR compensated with a large atrium to provide natural daylight to both levels of the building. In addition, white paint and solar shades were used to reflect the direct rays of the sun and bounce light to specific areas. The internal lights are sensitive to respond to outside conditions.

Without a designated student union, Roberts Wesleyan College's campus layout called for the B. Thomas Golisano Library to be a student gathering place. With an optimal north-south building footprint, it included a 3,000-SF commons area comprised of a café, computer lab, study spaces, and meeting rooms. These features included renewable materials, such as cork flooring, carpet squares made of highly recycled content, and sunflower board cabinetry; efficient T-5 fluorescent lighting; and locally harvested building materials.

Overall, the library's features make it 40 percent more energy efficient than New York State Energy Code recommendations.

"Receiving Silver LEED® Certification is a great honor. It reaffirms that we achieved everything we set out to do. We have created a comfortable workspace that is both user-friendly and efficient, all while adhering to the highest environmental standards. The LEED® process is rigorous, but worthwhile and we hope that the success of this project will serve as an example to the community."

• Richard Greer, Facilities Director, Roberts Wesleyan College (Rejournal's New York News, Summer 2008)

• AIA, Rochester, New York, 2008 Merit Award

• Electrical Association of Rochester, 2008 Excellence in Green Lighting Award

• Learning By Design, 2008 Green Educational Facility Award

• 2008 U.S. Green Building Council, LEED-NC® Silver Certification

• American School & University, Educational Interiors Showcase, 2008 Outstanding Design Award, Libraries/Media Centers Category

LEO A DALY designs libraries that satisfy traditional and technologically savvy patrons, while providing an "architecture of interaction" where people learn collaboratively. Coffee shops, fireplace lounges and screened porches enhance this learning environment. We work hand-in-hand with library and community leadership to deliver this academic and intellectual marketplace. www.leoadaly.com