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Santa Monica Public Library

Santa Monica Public Library Interior

Santa Monica Public Library

The Santa Monica Public Library is a 109,000-square-foot facility with one key concept: to be a model of a twenty-first century library that serves as a “living room” for the city. The library’s principal elevation incorporates a long, narrow, two-story reading room with floor to ceiling windows. The library includes an enclosed garden court that serves as a social gathering place with controlled access and Internet connectivity.

The Santa Monica Public Library is the first building in the City of Santa Monica to earn LEED® Gold certification. More than 50 percent of the building’s materials contain significant recycled content. An extensive curtain wall system provides a line of sight to windows from 90 percent of the public spaces. Almost every seat in the library has an outside view.

The jurors agreed that this is one of the best urban projects of the year. They commented that the library integrates sustainability and efficiency strategies while maintaining an architecturally significant look with a “living room” friendly social gathering atmosphere.

The library achieves energy savings with photovoltaic panels on the roof, under-floor plenum air supply and light-sensitive chandeliers with photosensor controls to automatically adjust to changing daylight conditions. Underground parking, which eliminates surface paving, along with a light-colored reflective roof, contribute to the reduction of a “heat-island effect.” Overall energy performance is 10.3 percent better than the minimum Title 24 compliance requirements.

In addition, the library achieved water savings through a 200,000-gallon cistern that was constructed as part of a storm water management plan. The library uses the storm water to irrigate the landscape garden areas. The library also uses low-flow faucets and toilets and incorporates waterless urinals to achieve greater water savings.

Notable Accomplishments

• LEED® Gold certification
• 10.3 percent better than the minimum Title 24 compliance requirements

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