Architectural firms Leo A Daly and SWBR design silver LEED rated Golisano Library: An $11m project

According to Roberts Wesleyan College, its $11 million B. Thomas Golisano Library has received a silver LEED rating from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The new library is one of the first colleges or universities to receive silver LEED certification in the area. LEED certification was obtained after submitting an application documenting compliance with the requirements of the rating system as well as paying registration and certification fees. "Receiving silver LEED certification is a great honor," said Richard Greer, facilities director at Roberts Wesleyan College. "It reaffirms that we achieved everything we set out to do. We have created a comfortable workspace that is both user-friendly and efficient, all while adhering to the highest environmental standards The LEED process is rigorous, but worthwhile and we hope that the success of this project will serve as an example to the community." Funding for the library was made possible through a $5 million contribution from Golisano. An additional $7 million was raised from other sources and allocated to both the B. Thomas Golisano Library and to the original library, which is being renovated, renamed and transformed into the Robert and Mary Hastings Academic Center. The lead architectural firm, Leo A Daly with SWBR Architects, designed the two-story, 43,000 s/f library that incorporates unique design elements, and was built with the environment top-of-mind. The library features an Information Commons comprised of a 1,600 s/f café, a computer lab, group study rooms, large meeting rooms, and wireless capability throughout the facility. It also includes a graduate study room, a reading room, and an upgraded archives and special collections area. LEED promotes a holistic approach to sustainable design by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. The library incorporates the following aspects: * Renewable materials such as cork flooring and carpet squares made of highly recycled content and sunflower board cabinetry. * T-5 fluorescent lighting. * Geothermal heating and cooling systems (pumps draw water from beneath the earth's surface instead of from outside air to provide heating and air conditioning). * 100% "green E" power - energy derived from wind or bio fuels. * Natural light leveraged throughout the building to extend energy efficiency, including white paint and solar shades that are used to reflect the direct rays of the sun and bounce light to specific areas. The combined use of the employed energy-savings systems account for the library being 40% more energy-efficient than what the NYS Energy Code recommends, according to NYSERDA.