photovoltaics

Founded in 1914, the Sayville Public Library on Long Island's south shore recently completed construction of a new facility to replace its existing 11,000-square-foot space. Designed and engineered by Melville-based H2M Group along with local architects LPA Associates of Roslyn Heights, the new 2-story, 38,000-square-foot library was dedicated back on June 28 and boasts a number of green design features, including a geothermal heating and cooling system and building-integrated solar panels. Although the project did not seek any third-party certification for its efforts, its design also includes efficient plumbing fixtures and a variety of measures aimed at boosting indoor air quality. The additional square footage increased the library's children and young adult sections and also created additional programming space and meeting rooms. The Sayville Public Library is located at 88 Greene Avenue in Sayville; Park East Construction built the project, which broke ground on January 17, 2008.

Designed by Syracuse-based Ashley McGraw Architects' Advanced Building Studio, the Liberty Central School District's new Media Center in Liberty, New York could become the state's first net zero energy school district building after it breaks ground this summer. The 4000-square-foot Media Center should open in time for the 2010 school year; many of the project's green design strategies are those which critics of the recent NAIOP study (which we wrote about extensively over at GRELJ) decried as lacking in the study's methodoloy, which concluded that 30 to 50 percent reductions in energy consumption over ASHRAE 90.1-2004 were not practicable for most owners given current technologies and corresponding payback periods. For example, Ashley McGraw implemented a comprehensive site orientation and daylighting strategy, designing the structure's shape and windows to provide sufficient natural north light to the project's interiors, as well as low-level south- and west-facing windows which will reduce both solar heat gain and corresponding cooling loads.

The saltbox is one of the country's oldest home construction techniques and an excellent example of American colonial architecture. Dating from the 1600s across New England, the saltbox's shed roof and single story would face north with little to no glass in an effort to deflect winter winds. The two-story side of the design faced south, using large windows to passively collect solar energy. The Litchfield House is an effort to implement the principles of the historical saltbox using modern green building techniques. Thanks to Jim and John Bleuer of Bleuer Green- which is developing the house, located about halfway between Hartford and Poughkeepsie in Litchfield, Connecticut- for sharing details about their project with gbNYC.