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Designing a new library building The design process has taken about five years, but the library design is very close to being finished. A Construction Committee was formed in October 2010, and will prepare for construction. (See the complete timeline of tasks and goals.) The latest design meeting was held at USKH with Thorsten Chlupp on July 21, 2011. Design schedule - August 9: Concept package, including the solar survey, new building and site concepts (plans delivered 8/16/11)
- September 9: Design development package (65%), including passive systems, civil design (structural and architectural) (50% plans delivered 9/13/11)
- October 11: Final review documents (98%), including mechanical, civil
- October 23: Final drawing package (95% architectural plans, 100% civil design, 50% engineering & construction) and presentation by architectural team at Annual Membership Meeting
- December 2011: 100% complete, to be submitted
Construction schedule (NOTE: extremely tentative, dependent upon funds, procurement, etc.) - 2012: site prep, foundation, construction
- 2013: finish work, transfer of materials
- 2014: grand opening
No actual schedule has yet been created; the Construction Committee is developing a timeline (see early draft) and assembling a vendor & builder list. (Please also see our Procurement Policy for more details.) Design and site Design features The library is being designed using Passive House and LEED principles to create a building that is extremely energy-efficient, will last for a few centuries, and will incorporate local and green materials to create a healthy, pleasant, and low-carbon-footprint environment that has minimal maintenance and operation costs. - masonry heater: There will be no need for a boiler or furnace; the building will be kept warm using renewable fuels (solar, wood) and superinsulation. We estimate that between two and three cords of wood should be sufficient to heat the library during the winter.
- superinsulation: A combination of dense-packed cellulose and foam will insulate the building to R-115 in the ceiling, R-75 in the walls, and R-65 in the floor.
- heat storage: A large water cistern and thermal mass in the floors, masonry stove, and other elements will store heat for when it is needed.
- passive solar heat gain: The building is being designed to take advantage of the copious sunshine available during the shoulder seasons. Underfloor radiant heating coils will be switchable between solar collectors and the masonry heater as required.
- preheated intake air & heat exchangers: Proper air exchange and pre-heating is very important for aoiding CO2 buildup and the resultant problem of stuffiness and sleepiness in a superinsulated building. The library will make use of highly efficient, state-of-the-art heat exchangers and air systems.
- local materials: To keep costs and environmental impact lower and maintain an Ester-like feeling, the building is being designed to take advantage of local materials, Alaska-made products, and finishing materials that are relevant to Ester's history and landscape as well as its values (like thriftiness!)
- gathering spaces: There will be comfortable interior lounge areas around the masonry heater, window benches, and at a coffee bar near the entrance. Outside, the reading porch on the south side, the Ida Lane Gazebo, the car garden and storytelling area, and benches by the entrance will provide many opportunities for a "community porch" feeling for events, informal get-togethers, and reading.
- quiet study area: This area will have sliding walls/pocket doors to enable a corner of the library to be closed off for test-taking, quiet study, or conferences. The room will normally be open to enable better heat and air flow, but will still provide a sheltered area for study.
- children's area: An important feature of the library, this area will house the Young Readers' collection and provide open space for children to play and read or participate in learning activities. Furniture will be sized for younger library patrons.
- beverage corner/coffee bar: A table and stool seating near the entrance will provide some income for the library and a place for conversation, drinking tea, coffee, or other beverages, and reading periodicals or books.
- state-of-the-art computers & communications: Dedicated in memory of Patricia Davis, an artist and former library volunteer, our Internet Technology system will help fill an important void in Ester's often-cranky or nonexistent internet access.
See also our page on the Design background and history. For examples and resources on green libraries (what we hope to build), please visit the Green Libraries Directory. Actual designwork is mostly complete; now we need to organize the construction—and fund it. Please contact the librarians if you would like to help with this. Thanks! | | |
