Homer Public Library
Green Design, Extreme Environment
The seaside town of Homer, Alaska, may seem like an unlikely location for an architecturally–striking, green public library. But the vision was clear: build an eco–friendly, community landmark.
Homer's geography played a critical role; seasonal sunlight, extreme temperatures, and high wind loads demanded flawless design and construction. Solar heat gain was also a serious issue. To protect the interior of the facility from the sun's harsh effects, the team used two rows of 1600 SunShades as part of the Kawneer curtain wall system. Thermally–broken curtain wall, windows, doors and framing helped provide abundant natural light throughout without sacrificing thermal efficacy.
Another big challenge came from the extreme wind loads that plague the area. To ensure the structure could withstand the elements, the team used deeper mullions and cable wind load supports on the interior, making fabrication challenging, but successful.
As the second building in the state of Alaska ever awarded LEED Silver certification, Homer Public Library became a sanctuary for its community.
