Silver Spring Library Achieves LEED Gold

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Silver Spring Library, located in Montgomery County, Md., was awarded LEED Gold certification thanks to the many energy-saving elements incorporated into its design. The library, which was finished in June 2015, is a model of sustainability for Montgomery County.

“LEED Gold certification for the Silver Spring Library underscores the Department of General Services’ commitment to delivering environmentally responsible facilities,” said David Dise, director of the Department of General Services, in a statement. “The prominent location in downtown Silver Spring showcases our efforts to present an aesthetically striking library that is also functional and energy efficient.”

The library is located on the top three floors of a five-story building and occupies approximately 63,000 square feet. The lower two levels of the 90,000-square-foot facility will be leased for arts-related and street-level retail uses.

Methods used to achieve LEED Gold include the use of natural light throughout the interior space. The building also provides convenient access to public transportation and offers a bicycle storage area. Interior lighting will automatically switch off when rooms are not occupied and restrooms have water-efficient toilets and sinks, according to a statement. The top of the facility features a vegetated roof that will work to heat and cool the building more efficiently and will provide a natural absorption and irrigation system.

“We are proud of our Silver Spring Library,” said Park Hamilton, public libraries director, in a statement. “Not only does our library provide a flexible and adaptable space to connect our residents with ideas and information, it is also a model for environmental sustainability for our present and future generations.”

Arlington, Va.-based architecture firm The Lukmire Partnership designed the new sustainable building, and it was built by Columbia, Md.-based Costello Construction. Although the library is the first three-story, urban library to receive the certification, Montgomery County has an additional eight LEED-certified buildings, including several different libraries.