Colorado | Architect: Barker Rinker Seacat

What a Site Triple its former size, the Durango Public Library considered popluation growth and environmental preservation in its design Sitting above the Animas River and along a narrow gauge railroad, it respects the area's natural treasures while giving patrons the feel of home. Photos by Michael Shopenn

5 | Setting a New Gold Standard

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Durango, CO, has garnered many “best” awards for retirement, skiing, and education. Now it’s the library’s turn to make this scenic resort and college town shine.

And it does, inside and out—embracing the town from its site on the edge of the Animas River and offering those inside, according to the submission, “the most magnificent views available…through its many windows.” Users can gaze at mountain peaks, watch the train run past the library along the Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, or ponder nearby historic church steeples.

At three times the size of the previous library building and with land to expand, the new Durango Public Library is a proactive response to the city’s projected growth. Not surprising for a town in such a locale, this community of 16,000 holds preserving the environment near and dear, a value reiterated throughout the building’s design and construction.

A passion for place During initial planning, achieving LEED Gold certification didn’t seem feasible. When community members insisted, however, the city and library wholeheartedly plunged into creating Colorado’s first LEED Gold library. Projected over its first 20 years to use 40 percent less energy than conventional buildings, Durango Public Library has set the standard for the city’s municipal buildings and gained the attention of the Governor’s Energy Council.

While the site, on the grounds of a relocated hospital, brought significant challenges, it was, with its scenic setting and proximity to public transportation and extensive pedestrian and bicycle trails, a perfect place for a library. But to make it work, architects needed to fit a 42,000 square foot building onto a narrow parcel without distracting from the views, or impacting the river, causing environmental harm.

To protect the Animas River, the landscape plan incorporates a retention pond, water catchment in parking lots, low-water-use plants, and green space—all to filter runoff and reduce water consumption.

Another challenge was to ensure that no particles from the attractive but dirty steam locomotive that runs alongside the library end up degrading the library’s air quality. The solution: special filters to keep them outside.

Visitors can’t help but notice the aluminum sunshades jutting out from the windows. These are ubiquitous in green buildings because they are a low-cost and permanent solution to sun mitigation. In the morning, light is let in. But in the afternoon, the shades block the strong light of the hot sun. Inside, self-adjusting shades and the automatic lighting system that dims and brightens in response to the amount of daylight complete the library’s approach to daylight harvesting and management.

Pursuing LEED certification has helped to advance green construction in the area. Some contractors got so enthused that they became LEED-certified builders.

“Homey” by community consensus Inside, the building was programmed to require no additional staff beyond three custodians. RFID, self-service, and an automated materials handling system reduce staff load despite increased use. Staff desks were minimized and a focus on getting out on the floor to assist users was ­implemented.

Flexibility was also a core principle. Like other new breed libraries, Durango is designed with a raised floor above the electricals and ventilation to facilitate future changes. One immediate benefit is that heat and cooling comes from the floor rather than blowing down on visitors from upper walls or ceilings. Most lights are attached to stacks instead of the ceiling.

While the library gives off a decidedly “homey” feel, with its two fireplaces and lots of wood, it comes equipped with numerous computers, a teen space that feels like a café, many different areas to read, Wi-Fi inside and out, and program rooms designed to flex for a variety of uses. This came right from the community’s wish list: most of the ideas from focus groups and staff were put into effect—except for the bowling alley.

While Durango Public Library’s architectural statement is more understated than some other New Landmark Libraries, it is a model of quality, functionality, response to community context and constraints, sustainability, and siting. Listening to residents and building a first-class, ecofocused facility pays off big.