This photo of the model of the proposed Duvall Library shows where the main entrance of the library will be as seen from Main Street. It will be situated on the lower level in the Northwest corner. For years, architects have been leading the shift towards “building green.” Johnston Architects, the Seattle-based firm contracted to design Duvall’s new “green” library, has a portfolio with numerous examples of LEED certified projects.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an international certification system that recognizes green buildings. In order to qualify for the LEED certification, a building must meet rigorous criteria.

At a public meeting on March 16, Duvall residents met with members of the Library Commission, King County Library System (KCLS), and Johnston Architects, to review and provide input on the design.

Proposed Duvall Library looking southeast. Building to the left is Duvall Church. Courtesy photo Paige Denison, Chair of the Library Commission, was pleased with the way the meeting went and said the dialogue was respectful and thoughtful.

“People want to know why green design is important to our city,” said Denison. “They also want to understand how the new library will blend in with Old Town.”

“My understanding is that both Johnston Architects and KCLS are well aware of the design standards laid out in the comprehensive plan and are working to design a civic building for the City that speaks to the historic, rural and eclectic feel of Old Town Duvall,” Denison added.

The meeting focused on ways in which the library will incorporate green design. The blending of new and old will be the topic of future meetings. But in a recent conversation with the River Current News, Alison Walker Brems, an architect with the firm, helped to elaborate on this topic.

She explained that there are several ways in which the new design will fit in with the Old Town context. Elements such as a shed roof, recycled barn wood and a 25-foot bay (the existing downtown “module”) are a few of the ways in which the design intends to evoke valley vernacular.

“This is a contemporary take on a rural form,” said Walker Brems. The library’s shed roof hearkens back to “simple, elegant structures with a strong roof form,” typically found in the local architecture.

The architects feel confident they have produced a design that will enliven the Main Street frontage and make access convenient. Indoor and outdoor spaces will be inviting and engaging. There will be a total of 71 parking stalls shared with the neighboring Duvall Church. On the north side of the library, a grand staircase and walkway, both shared by the Church, will enhance accessibility. And Walker Brems says the staircase makes a great place to sit and read a book or to watch the Duvall Days parade.

The library will also feature extended hours, remaining open until 9pm. At completion, the building’s 8,000 square feet will accommodate an expanding book collection as well as additional reference materials and computers. A commu- nity meeting room and a vibrant area with activities for children and teens are also featured in the new design.

The architects included an elevator in addition to the staircase to resolve a 12-foot drop in elevation from the parking lot located behind the building to the entrance on Main Street.

Residents also wanted to know why LEED certification is important to Duvall.

“Green design is important because it’s the right thing to do,” said Walker Brems. “When you look at energy consumption, its not our cars that use most of the energy, its our buildings.”

LEED is a standard that gages not only energy efficiency but also whether or not a space is healthy to inhabit.

The new library incorporates several mainstays of green design such as radiant heating, which involves drilling 14 wells in the parking lot so that the earth can be used to heat and cool the building. Thissuper efficient way of heating and cooling means zero gas usage and little electricity usage. It is also quieter than forced air systems – a plus for libraries.

Daylighting is yet another green element that will score points for LEED certification. Libraries require ample yet controlled natural and artificial lighting. The architects are studying a variety of natural lighting controls such as louvers and light shelves to help create warm ambient lighting. The use of LED lighting also cuts down significantly on energy and operation costs.

Perhaps one of the most visible sustainable elements will be the green roof – literally. The roof will be planted with a mix of sedum (a drought-resistant groundcover) that helps absorb, filter and clean rainfall. This lessens the impact on the City’s infrastructure and drainage system. The plants help keep the roof from deteriorating due to UV rays, a substantial savings on building maintenance.

“By super insulating the building Duvall gets a big payback on day to day energy costs,” stated Walker Brems. And that is good news for the environment as well as our pocketbooks.

Denison noted that architects will address questions raised at the last meeting in a future meeting to be held in a couple of months. Building and interior design materials are expected to be made available so that residents may see them first-hand and get a feel for how the new library will become an integral part of downtown Duvall.

Please submit comments and questions to the Board at bondconstruction@ kcls.org.