New South Jamaica Branch Library

The energy performance of the Library is integral to the basic architectural design, supported by a sophisticated mechanical/electrical/control system. The building’s relationship to the sun drives the architectural form, and the changing effects of natural light are significant to the quality of the interior space. Automated controls regulate shades, lights and ventilation dampers depending on the time of day and year. In the summer, daylight levels are limited to those required for library operation. In the winter, the building captures maximum daylight with the excess heat being introduced into the building mass for storage. The building also uses construction materials efficiently including recycled products.