I'm also really interested in seeing our fair city make the new library a masterpiece from an environmental angle. Solar panels could be great (especially given the large percentage of differently colored/tinted glasses being used, maybe this could be more seamless than many solar panel installations); but what really excites me is the idea of using a heat pump system for heating and cooling. The way I understand it, the big upfront cost is laying enough underground tubing to provide adequate heat exchange capacity for the size of the building. After that, the stable temperature of the Earth provides the heat in the winter and the cooling in the summer. We considered doing it for our duplex, but lots of energy folks said it would be cost prohibitive on a small city lot. With a very large commercial building, perhaps it's a better deal, since you're already digging a huge hole for footings and such anyway. Does anyone have any info on use of heat exchange/heat pumps in similar situations?
Another way to be green is from the furnishings angle. St. Joan of Arc at 45th and 3rd recently finished a parish center expansion using LOTS of green furnishings (recycled tire, milk carton etc. products), even cabinets made from discarded sunflower hulls. If the library could integrate these features as well, we'd be helping to close the loop on recyclable materials. Mike McAneney Tangletown Carol Becker wrote: The windows themselves are > partially clear glass and partially opaque, giving the impression of books > on a shelf. The opaque windows are more prevalent on the south side, > cutting down the direct light on that side, with more clear windows on the > other sides of the building to let in indirect light. > > Regarding the energy environmental aspects, we are having the architects > looking at alternatives but the budget will determine how aggressive we can > be. The budget is very tight and we would have to look at the > cost-benefits of these systems. > > Carol Becker > Longfellow > > > > > > _______________________________________ > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls > _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
