Framingham library gets LEED Silver certification
Gustav Holland
The Christa McAuliffe library in Framingham
The Christa McAuliffe branch library in Framingham has been certified LEED Silver for its contemporary sustainable design.
The newly opened, 17,000-square-foot library branch was designed by Finegold Alexander Architects of Boston, which considered sustainability aspirationally and technically when designing the project. The library, which has a space travel theme in honor of Framingham native and astronaut McAuliffe, has a main adult reading room, a dedicated children’s library, 21 internet-enabled computer stations, two study rooms, a 50-person capacity meeting room and onsite parking.
The Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design certification is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Sustainable elements include a 21-percent reduction of overall energy use, a 26-percent reduction in potable water use via water-efficient landscaping, 78 percent of all areas providing natural daylight, and 49 percent open space. The library also includes a detention/infiltration system for storm water runoff and captures and treats 90 percent of this runoff. Nearly all the wood used in construction -- 97 percent -- is Forest Stewardship Council-certified, and 94 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfill.
It is accessible by bus and within walking distance to school, restaurants, retail, senior center and community services, and is close to a future rail trail for biking and walking.
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