Sustainable design targeting a minimum silver LEED Certification.
The library acts as a community center, welcoming and integrating southeast Boise neighborhoods and businesses. The full-service library provides a light-filled environment with computer and internet access, 40,000+ books, DVDS, video games and audiobooks, spaces for study, meetings and relaxing, and special programs for all ages.
On-site parking offers easy access for patrons, as well as offering four
charging stations for electrical vehicles.
The library features several special spaces, including a reading room
complete with comfy chairs and fireplace, two group study rooms, specially designed areas for children and teens, and multi-purpose rooms with audio-visual equipment that seat 90, available for access after regular library hours.
Sustainable design for the library targeted a minimum of a silver LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The design maximized daylighting, efficient use of energy and water and used recycled and local materials in construction. Water-wise landscaping called for drought-tolerant and native plants and environmentally friendly storm water management.
For three days in early August, CM Company oversaw the installation of the first Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels in the state of Idaho.
Essentially plywood panels made out of 2×6’s, CLTs can be used as decks or walls in many of the places where reinforced concrete or steel structure would usually go. Since they are a composite material, their size is limited only by the machines that produce them and shipping constraints.
Since they are made from very large quantities of wood, CLTs actually absorb and store more carbon from the environment than their production puts off, in stark contrast to concrete or steel. So not only do they have a very low environmental impact, they are also one of only a few truly renewable construction materials.
For more information about CM Company’s experience with CLT, read our Case Study.