Portfolio: Municipal
San Jose, California
Designed by Rob Wellington Quigley, FAIA, the library is 20,123 sq. ft. of high design and environmental efficiency. A meticulous building envelope utilizing high-performance glazing, window overhangs, perimeter and overhead natural day-lighting and lighting controls, as well as thermally efficient wall and roof systems, all add up to a state-of-the-art facility for future generations.
The West Valley Branch Library design team was committed to incorporating and integrating the principles of sustainable design as part of the City of San Jose’s Sustainable City Program. This project set a precedent for future green building projects in the City of San Jose under the US Green Building Council’s LEED™ 2.0 Green Building Rating System, Version 2.0.
The HVAC design and system components played a major role in achieving the LEED™ 2.0 certification. The 50-ton, CFC-free air-conditioning system supplies chilled water to air-handling units in the facility. The raised underfloor-supply air plenum provides improved ventilation effectiveness for library patrons and employees, and a variable air volume system operation with direct digital controls is employed throughout for continued superior energy performance.
CB Engineers is proud of the role it has played in achieving LEED™ 2.0 certification on this project and salutes the City of San Jose for its leadership and vision in sustainable green building design.