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Thomas Jefferson Library Certified as a Green Building

June 8, 2011

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Thomas Jefferson Library received a LEED Silver^© rating from the U.S. Green Building Council^©, making it one of five green libraries in the county as of this year.

The one-story, 17,000 square-foot building incorporates a host of green features, including:

• Recycled and renewable materials, such as the ceiling tiles that contain 70 percent recycled content. In addition, the carpet tiles used throughout the building contain 35 percent recycled materials. The lobby floor is made from linoleum which contains rapidly renewable materials like cork dust and linseed oils. During construction, 75 percent of construction waste was recycled instead of landfilled.
  
  
• Energy-efficient design that’s expected to cut energy consumption by 40 percent compared to a traditionally designed library. Natural light reaches more than 90 percent of occupied spaces, and sensors installed within 15 feet of all windows dims lights inside the building based on the amount of available daylight. The library also uses electricity generated from wind farms.
  
  
• Water-saving plumbing fixtures that should reduce water use by 40 percent compared to a conventionally designed library, including waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets, and sensor-operated faucets.
  
  
• Energy Star rated appliances and mechanical equipment that use less energy and save money.

One of the oldest libraries in the county, Thomas Jefferson opened in 1962, and the building was renovated and expanded building in 2010. It offers group and quiet study areas along with one large meeting room that can be divided into two smaller meeting rooms.

In December, the library also received a 2010 Award of Excellence for Best Building from NAIOP Northern Virginia.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted a green building policy for county facilities in 2008. The policy requires that buildings with more than 10,000 square feet be constructed to meet minimum green building standards, if not exceed them. The policy applies to the design and construction of new county buildings and renovations or additions to existing county buildings.