Bronx Library Center, New York, USA

Completed in January 2006, Bronx Library Center (the branch of the NYPL/New York Public Library) earned its LEED Silver Certification in July 2006. A 5-story building with 7246 m gross floor area replaced the former Fordham University Branch Library. Dattner Architects designed project cost $53 million to complete. The building is like an enormous bookstore, with a glass facade. Occupancy sensors turn on the light when there are people in the rooms. Energy costs are reduced by 20%, thanks to the roof, reflecting solar heat, as well as the ventilation system which allows using fresh air for cooling the building. 90% of construction waste was recycled. Each floor is formed as a rectangular public site. The main structure is made of steel. The library building features a 4-story high-performance glass curtain wall, with reading rooms located along it. This allows saving electricity during the daytime. Bronx Library Center is considered an example of an environmentally responsible publicly funded building. General contractor was F.J.Sciame Construction Co.

By Astghik Atabekyan, www.biulding.am

Photos: Joyce Dopkeen/The New York Times ; https://www.schueco.com