Third public consultation meeting for the Central Library: Sustainability to be discussed
Media Release
For immediate release Monday, Aug. 23, 2010
The design process for the Halifax Central Library continues with the third meeting in a series of five public meetings on Wednesday, Aug. 25. The theme of the third meeting is: Let’s make the Halifax Central Library green and sustainable.
"One of the strongest themes we’ve heard at the public meetings so far is that people want this new library to be sustainable. People have told us they want to see things like natural light, lasting design and a green roof,” said George Cotaras, lead architect with Fowler, Bauld & Mitchell. “At Wednesday’s meeting we’ll discuss this further and share some of our ideas.”
Local firm Fowler Bauld & Mitchell (FBM) is the lead team on the design of the library. FBM have been responsible for a number of environmentally-innovative buildings in Halifax, including the LEED Silver-certified Citadel High, which uses steam from the adjacent QEII Hospital as the source of heating. FBM also designed the Dalhousie New Academic Building, which features a water source heat pump system, low-energy lighting systems and controls, low-water consumption washroom fixtures and hands-free controls at sinks as well as using the exposed concrete structure as thermal mass to reduce peak cooling and heating loads.
FBM’s partner is schmidt hammer lassen, a highly-regarded European firm with a reputation of creating sustainable and innovative public buildings. Design architect Morten Schmidt will discuss the design progress to date and explain how sustainability has informed the design of the library.
The design consultation phase is part of the total $57.6-million budget for the Central Library project. Future public meetings in the design consultation phase will take place on September 30 and November 4, when a design concept will be presented.
The green and sustainable-themed meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 25, from 7-9 p.m. at Pier 21, in Heritage Hall, 1055 Marginal Rd. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for a live flamenco guitar performance and tea and coffee. Staff-led sessions will happen simultaneously at the Keshen Goodman, Tantallon and Woodlawn branches. The meeting will also be broadcast live at halifaxcentrallibrary.ca For more information about the Central Library, visit halifaxcentrallibrary.ca For those unable to attend the public meetings, input about the Central Library can be given via Facebook, Twitter (@hfxpublib)or in person at any branch
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Contact
Kasia Morrison
Communications Officer
Halifax Public Libraries
Phone: (902) 490-5852
Cell: (902) 476-8605
Email: morrisk@halifax.ca