The Maple Grove and Plymouth libraries, which are both scheduled to open in mid-2010, will incorporate a variety of energy-efficient design features and sustainable concepts that meet or exceed the Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines.
The sustainable building features will include:
- A geothermal energy system installed in an adjacent pond at the Maple Grove Library and in underground wells at the Plymouth Library will be used to heat and cool the buildings. A heat recovery wheel that will reclaim some of the buildings' heat will also be used.
- Green roofs will be utilized to reduce stormwater runoff, insulate the building and minimize heat radiating off of the roofs.
- Permeable pavers will be installed in the driveway and parking areas of the Maple Grove Library to reduce storm water runoff and resupply the groundwater. A stormwater pond and rain gardens will be used to reduce stormwater runoff at the Plymouth Library.
- Tall windows were incorporated into the buildings' designs to take advantage of natural daylight, and roof overhangs will minimize how much the sun heats up the buildings during the summer.
- High-efficiency lighting will be installed with automated controls that will dim the lights during the daytime to maximize the use of natural daylight.
Native building materials, including white oak lumber and Kasota Limestone will be used, reducing the distance that materials travel.
