San Francisco
Public Library demonstrates its strong commitment to the environment with the
grand opening of the new Ortega Branch Library on Saturday, September 10th, the
seventh San Francisco branch library built to silver certification standards
under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) rating system.
Among the green features at the Ortega Branch Library:
- Clean and green
- We use environmentally sound products and practices for cleaning this Library.
- Room for recycling
- An easily accessible area is dedicated for recycling.
- Good wood
- We use regionally sourced and rapidly renewable materials, such as Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood.
- On target
- "Commissioning" is a testing process that verifies that all the building’s mechanical and electrical systems are installed, calibrated and performing efficiently.
The Ortega Branch Library renovation serves as a model of green construction practices, including:
- Waste not
- We recycled or salvaged at least 75% of the construction waste when building this library.
- Breathe easier
- The paints, adhesives and sealants in this building contain only low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC), reducing the amount of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, potentially irritating or harmful.
- Pollution prevention
- We controlled soil erosion, waterway sedimentation and airborne dust generation during construction activities.
- A local library
- Over 20% of building products and materials used were sourced locally – extracted, manufactured, and recovered within 500 miles of this library.
Night lights
By directing the exterior lighting we reduce light pollution to the surrounding environment.
Let the sun shine in
Windows provide natural light and reduce the use of electricity.
Amazing glaze
High performance window glazing saves energy by maximizing the library’s heating and cooling systems.
Watering Down
We've reduced the amount of water we use by 60% with the installation of efficient landscape irrigation systems.
Our plants are green too!
We selected native and adapted plants that are well-suited to our climate, and require less water than traditional ground covers such as grass.
Taming the temperature
We use roofing and exterior paving materials that reduce the heat island effect (thermal gradient differences between developed and natural areas). This minimizes our impact on the microclimate and on wildlife habitat.
Going with the flow
Our landscaped bioswales remove silt and pollution from stormwater runoff.
It's Alive!
A living roof with native species plantings reduces the library's carbon footprint by reducing heat island effects and capturing rain water.
A bright idea
High performance lighting fixtures use less electricity and need to be replaced less frequently.
Climate controls
Zero chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-based refrigerants are used in the building's heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems.
Breathe deeply...
You can because this wood composite is made without formaldehyde (which gives off harmful fumes that can cause breathing problems).
Breathe easier
The paints, adhesives and sealants in this building contain only low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC), reducing odorous or harmful indoor air contaminants.
A fresh idea
Windows that open allow for natural ventilation, improve indoor air quality and eliminate the need for artificial air conditioning.
Lowering the flow
Efficient fixtures such as low-flow faucets reduce water usage by 40%.
We renew
Recycled materials are used throughout the building's interior.
Good wood
We use regionally sourced and rapidly renewable materials, such as Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood.
We're green underneath
The floor you're standing on is elevated above electrical and data cables so we can easily rearrange furniture or equipment without replacing the floor, which saves resources.
