EcoBiblioteca &
Living Building Challenge

EcoBiblioteca applied for the Living Building Challenge certification, in the Renovation typology, in order obtain all petals recognition ("Living Building").

SITE

RESTORING A HEALTHY COEXISTENCE WITH NATURE

EcoBiblioteca's site is a previously developed one, starting with 1816, and the proposed intervention has as a main objective to improve the existing situation while not enlarging the footprint of the buildings. An immediate advantage of older buildings is that the building already exists; therefore, since there are only minor improvements energy is not necessary to create new building structure and the infrastructure is already in place.

In order to meet the "Habitat Exchange" requirement, we are currently working with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Romania to find a suitable site for conserving and protecting nature.

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WATER

CREATING WATER INDEPENDENT SITES, BUILDINGS AND COMMUNITIES

EcoBiblioteca project will contain a smart drainage system that will protect the library from water infiltrations and will reuse captured precipitation for the landscape irrigation, while making use of the existing on site well. Water demand will be reduced using low flow fixtures and composting toilet.

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ENERGY

RELYING ONLY ON CURRENT SOLAR INCOME

We wish to reduce energy demand to the minimum by maximizing daylighting (sunpipes), minimizing heat loss and gain through the building shell (passive house standard).
Renewable energy will be obtained using PV panels for electricity and a very efficient ground source heat pump system for heating.

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HEALTH

MAXIMIZING PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH AND WELL BEING

The team's lighting engineer created a natural lighting study along with a lighting proposal that will allow natural light to fill in the rooms through roof mounted sun tunnels.

Planning for fire protection, ensuring occupant safety and health, resisting natural hazards, providing security for building occupants and assets were handled with care in all design phases of the project. Although it is not requested by law for this building size, the fire scenario was analysed by team members in order to determine the location of special equipment for safety considerations.

During the construction process, safety will be also taken in consideration, with special care for nearby school children, existing vegetation and the underground water.

The project encourages natural ventilation (operable windows), supplemented by a mechanical system (ceiling fans) for situations like public events, where a greater number of people will be present.

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MATERIALS

ENDORSING PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES THAT ARE SAFE FOR ALL SPECIES THROUGH TIME

One of the materials mentioned on the Red List is the asbestos and as a consequence, the first step on the site construction has been to remove the existing roof and to replace it with a traditional solution, wooden shingles.

All products and materials used in the project will be documented through technical specifications and letters to the suppliers for exceptional cases.

The total footprint of embodied carbon of the building is influenced by its structure and function, as well as the behaviour of the occupants. A life cycle analysis will determine a more real estimation of the carbon emissions and will allow more site specific measures for their reduction. Through the different proposals, the project will encourage overall market transformations, especially in the supply chain, based on the use of recycled and recyclable content products, on the design for deconstruction and on the impact of strategies using renewable energies.

EcoBiblioteca promotes, in the proposed solution of the project, procurement of building materials from socially and environmentally responsible sources.

The team is documenting every single product included in the project, encouraging as much as possible a local Romanian sourcing, compliant with the Living Building Challenge requirements.

During site works, special areas for different types of waste will be provided in order to divert these materials (metal, paper and cardboard, brick, wood) from the local landfill.

Excavated soil will be reused on site for landscape works.

Existing finishes will be carefully deconstructed and locally reused inside the village.

During the operation of the library, the building will have recipients for selective garbage collection.

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EQUITY

SUPPORTING A JUST, EQUITABLE WORLD

Although it is not applicable for the "renovation" typology, we decided to follow these imperatives as well.

The project imagines the library as a community space, with increased visits and participation by the citizenry. The building interior is designed to quickly and efficiently adapt to community's needs - lecture room, events room, conferences.

Furthermore, for a clear understanding of the functional and operational requirements, the librarians were actively involved in the integrated design process. Consequently, the building will provide abundant natural light and low-energy lighting, new, comfortable reading areas near the windows, an audio-visual area, Internet workstations, proper storage space for both the books' collection and library personnel.

Unconventional reading spaces will be developed to increase use and encourage reading and studying in an enjoyable, productive environment. Innovative methods of storing books more efficiently while facilitating easy access will be implemented. A space will be created to link the traditional library with the opportunities created by using virtual books and laptops. The flexible nature of the space will be utilized to conduct training in topics such as agriculture, agrotourism, and areas identified as beneficial.

The goal of accessible design is to provide equal use of the built environment for all people. Although it was not a requirement from a building permit point of view, we considered that it would be best if the library should meet the needs of people with disabilities. Besides a systems of ramps integrated within the landscape design which will provide comfortable access inside the site, we proposed to create a bathroom that will be easy to use by any person.

The project will create a strong connection with the near existing built environment (the school, the Catholic church), coupled with the surrounding natural landscape. EcoBiblioteca team includes not only an experienced landscape designer, but also an urban planner, in its effort to integrate the library's site into Cacica's masterplan, currently under development. As a result, the project will provide existing outdoor spaces with functions that meet the needs of the nearby school and basilica.

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BEAUTY

CELEBRATING DESIGN THAT CREATES TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE

Preserving and understanding our nation's heritage is essential.

We consider local architecture green architecture, since it was developed during centuries for a certain geographical area, taking into account local climate and having in mind local materials. Following this logic the team proposed a facade that evokes local traditional building facades but with a contemporary approach. The same logic was applied for the interior design decisions where local furniture pieces are going to be refurbished and integrated into the library space alongside with comfortable, state of the art green furniture.

Once the building will start the operation phase, a booklet will be provided to users and visitors, explaining the (de)construction and the renovation process, as well as the maintenance requirements. Also, a couple of info panels will be displayed on the north facade and, a few times a year,an "open days" event will be organized, in order to facilitate direct contact with a Living Building.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: www.ilbi.org

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