Gwinnett LEED Certified Library Ribbon Cutting

Gwinnett County Public Library System’s

LEED Certified Hamilton Mill Branch

Join us on May 8, 2010 at 1 pm for our Grand Opening Celebration.

The library is open to customers beginning on April 24, 2010.

3690 Braselton Highway
Dacula, GA 30019

(View Map)

The Gwinnett County Public Library is eagerly anticipating the opening of the Hamilton Mill branch located off of Interstate 85 in Dacula, GA. Gwinnett’s first green library was designed to achieve LEED Silver Certification from the United States Green Building Council. The following is a brief description of some of the library’s unique features and sustainable attributes that are sure to enrich, amaze, and inspire Gwinnett residents for many years to come.

Sustainable Sites

• The building is close to park and recreation centers.
• The building provides parking provisions for fuel efficient and hybrid vehicles, and bike racks for patron and employee use.
• EPA “Energy Star” roof with reflective color coating reduces heat island effect.

Water Efficiency

• Drought tolerant plants and water efficient drip irrigation system will help reduce water usage.
• Native or adapted plants have been restored to open areas.
• Low flow automatic faucets and toilets.

Energy & Atmosphere

• Extra foam insulation on the exterior wall enhances energy efficiency.
• Window glass features double glazing, low emission, and selective low emission coating to improve insulation and heat gain and loss through the building fenestration.
• Energy use is reduced up to 30% with energy efficient lighting, heating, and cooling equipment.
• Artificial lighting is automatically controlled based on the amount of daylight entering the space, improving energy efficiency and turning off luminaries when not needed.
• Air conditioning equipment does not use conventional CFC and HCFC refrigerants, which are not environmentally friendly.

Materials & Resources

• 89% of construction waste associated with this project was recycled and diverted from local area landfills.
• Building materials contain both pre- and post- consumer recycled content and are manufactured within a 500-mile radius of the project site.
• Carpet contains recycled material.

Indoor Environment Quality

• Sunshades and solar control devices on the south facade help control the amount of light and heat which enters the building throughout the year.
• Vertical fins on the east and west windows reduce direct afternoon sunlight.
• Paints and adhesives contain no or low volatile organic compounds (VOC), thereby reducing indoor pollutant sources.
• Carbon dioxide and humidity sensors monitor indoor air quality.

“Art in Architecture”

One of the more unique features of the project is the “Art in Architecture” component designed by local artist Maria Artemis, who as described by the architect, “collaborated with the team to create a provocative series of screened glass ‘paintings’ for windows throughout the library. The motif condenses themes of water, earth, sun, and the use of language in our culture.”

All photographs by Michael E. Casey

Green In Gwinnett Area –  Green And Sustainable

Green In Gwinnett Area GIGA Supports Earth Hour 2009!

Earth Hour 2009 by WWF – Sign up for Earth Hour!

Green In Gwinnett Area GIGA supports the efforts of Earth Hour 2009.  We are encouraging Gwinnett residents to take part in this global effort to impact energy consumption.  Join millions around the world who will turn off their lights on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8:30 pm during Earth Hour. So tell everyone around you!  Suwanee, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Duluth, Braselton, Hamilton Mill, Buford, Lilburn, Grayson, Sugar Hill, and all of Gwinnett.  Lets show our support for a green and sustainable future.  Lets be Green In Gwinnett Area.

“Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia with 2.2 million homes and businesses turning their lights off for one hour. Only a year later and this event had become a global sustainability movement with up to 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.”  – Earthhour.org

Earth Hour is a message of hope and a message of action. Everyone can make a difference.

LEED In Gwinnett. Hamilton Mill Library and Brandsmart USA are both aiming for LEED Cert. Who else?

Fellow Gwinnett County Residents and Business Persons,

Please respond to this blog with information on new or upcoming LEED structures for Gwinnett County.  Suwanee, Duluth, Lawrenceville, Dacula, Buford, Hamilton Mill, Lilburn, Snellville, Norcross and any other cities in Gwinnett please inform us…

We would love to keep abreast of these developments and keep our community informed.