South Jamaica Branch Library

1. South Jamaica Branch Library Manali Yagnik

3. Surrounded by both commercial and residential.

4. The South Jamaica Branch Library is the first building designed and constructed under the New York City high performance building guidelines. • It is a two- story, 13,800sq. Ft. design that employs both passive and active design features to increase its energy performance. • The shell and the energy systems operate together to provide the users with enhanced surrounding conditions. • The interior qualities such as- lighting, air, temperature, spatial richness and variety are obtained due to dynamic interaction between the building and the natural environment. • The form of the building is a direct translation of the building program and larger environmental condition. • Use of low energy systems and recycled materials, helps in reducing energy consumption and pollution.

5. Auditorium/ Conference room Reference Desk Circulation Desk Administrative Offices Main Entrance

6. DESIGN PARTI

9. The saw-tooth shape of its roof not only introduces sunlight into the main reading room and circulation area, but also promotes hot air stratification, concentrating at the peaks.

10. The building has two return/exhaust air systems; one collecting air at the peaks and one collecting air near the floor.  In the winter, the hot air from the peaks is re-circulated throughout the building, its heat being stored in the slabs and masonry walls. Exhaust air is taken from the cooler air near the floor.  In the summer, the hot air from the peaks is exhausted and the cooler air is recirculated. 

12. The deep roof profile required by the solar collection strategy suggested the use of efficient, light long-span trusses, reducing the amount of material in the roof and columns.

13. Sunlight enters the brick, glass and concrete building through three skylights, or clerestories. It is softened by reflector diffusers and filtered by solar shades. As the sun comes up the electric light dim gradually and as the sun level drops late in the day or during a sudden storm the lights are brought back on automatically.

14. The building established goals to consume significantly less energy than that allowed by the NYS Energy Code: 48% less for lighting; 62% less for heating; and 34% less for cooling. Actual meter readings after two years of operation demonstrate that the building has out-performed these goals: by 30% for heating and 50% for electrical (lighting & cooling). The library received the Earth Day Top Ten Award from the American Institute of Architects for sustainable design in the year 2000.

15. Bibliography • http://www.architizer.com/en_us/projects/view/south-jamaica-branch-library/6974/ • http://www.solaripedia.com/13/313/3588/south_jamaica_library_nyc_interior.html