GREEN DESIGN FEATURES /

LEED PROJECT CASE STUDY

HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY

Architecture + Interior Design

INTRODUCTION The metric identified to measure the overall green
performance of the building is the Leadership in Energy

& LEED® & Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating

System from the Canada Green Building Council
In an effort to build community, the design of the Halifax (CaGBC). LEED is a rating system that is recognized as the
Central Library was completed in concert with the entire international mark of excellence for green building in 150
community through a series of highly participative countries. Since 2004, the CaGBC has certified over 1800
consultations and focus group sessions. The result was a LEED buildings in Canada and registered over 5000.
successful unification of its physical design and function.
The exterior features a unique series of stacked and The environmental goals identified by the client, the
cantilevered glass boxes, suggesting a stack of books. public, and the team are well represented by LEED.
The interior of the library reflects the diversity of the LEED promotes a holistic approach to sustainability
exterior with stairs and bridges in the atrium connecting by evaluating the design, construction, and operation
the five storeys, each storey offering something special of buildings in key areas of human and environmental
for the entire community. health: sustainable site development, water efficiency,
energy efficiency, responsible material selection, indoor
The public consultation sessions clearly showed that environmental quality, and innovative design. Credits and
“green design” is a high priority for the public. The June prerequisites are organized into these six categories.
2010 Public Consultation meeting generated comments
such as; “green design; indoor park; atrium; sustainable; A building is rated based on the total point score
bring outdoors inside; bright, green space; lots of achieved, with four levels of certification (certified, silver,
light; rooftop garden; green space on roof; incorporate gold and platinum). The library is targeting a certification
nature; skylight”. Bright, daylit spaces, and a connection level of LEED “Gold”. LEED Gold requires a minimum of
to the landscape were consistent themes that have 39 credits. The project is currently targeting 46 credits.
emerged as significant design elements in the library. This allows for a contingency of credits that may be lost
Furthermore, embedded in the design are community during the CaGBC audit process. The following is a
suggested sustainable design features including comprehensive case study of Halifax Central Library’s
responsibly selected materials with low-emissions and green design features as compiled by Fowler Bauld &
high recycled content, lots of access to daylight and Mitchell (Architect), CBCL Limited (Consulting Engineers),
nature, water and energy efficiency, passive solar heat Solterre Design (Sustainability / LEED Consultant) and the
retention and the use of the 5 storey atrium for return air, Halifax Regional Libraries’ communications team.
to name a few. Highlighting these features provide an
excellent opportunity for educating the occupants and
professionals alike.

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HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY
Adam Mork

COMMUNITY & SITE In local magazine The Coast, in its annual “Best In
Halifax” 2014 awards program, the new library was voted
Located on Spring Garden Road, the busiest commercial/ three Gold prizes by the citizens of Halifax, including Best
shopping street east of Montreal, the new library has Library, Best Effort to Improve Halifax, and Best Thing to
already spurred new development and intensification Happen in Halifax This Year.
of nearby urban sites. This site was chosen, in part, to
avoid development of inappropriate sites and reduce the
environmental impact from the location of a building on
a site. This was achieved by not increasing the foot print
of the developed land and developing on land that is at
least 5 ft above the elevation of the 100 year flood plain.

Less than half of the parking spaces formerly available

on the site were replaced in the new underground
parking garage. Instead, the library encourages the use
of alternative transportation such as walking, cycling and
bus access. There is ample bicycle parking both outdoors
and in the underground garage, and the site has a
dedicated bus stop served by several bus routes. In the
parking garage there are three dedicated parking spaces
complete with Electric Vehicle charging stations, available
free of charge.

The building offers something special for the entire

community, including a 300-seat performance space, two
cafes, gaming stations, music studios, dedicated space
for adult literacy, a First Nations Circle, boardrooms for
public and business use and an entire floor dedicated to
youth ranging from toddlers to teens. Roof top patios and
spaces allow a direct visual connection to surroundings
both near and far including the harbour and its
approaches, historic Citadel Hill, the adjacent downtown
and residential areas, and the forested landscape beyond.

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HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY
LIGHT & AIR
Natural Light & Views
The Halifax Central Library achieves exceptional daylight
penetration in a number of significant ways. Floor-to-
ceiling glass panels on the north and south facades
promote glare-free daylight and passive solar heating
benefits. Core spaces like elevators, emergency exists
and mechanical shafts are near the east and west
perimeter allowing solid insulated wall sections at these
locations while also minimizing glare and unwanted
summertime solar heat gain. Compounds (VOCs) entirely from a project, efforts can
be made to drastically reduce the number of VOCs
Frit patterns composed of random letters form leaf on site. Paints, sealants, adhesives, and many other
patterns on the facade creating interest for library visitors construction materials were specifically selected on
and also minimizing bird impacts. this project for their low levels of VOCs. Even though
maximum VOC content was specified, a few products
The large open spaces surrounding the central atrium submitted for review were not LEED compliant and
allow views from over 90% of regularly occupied interior were rejected. These findings confirmed that the design
spaces and the large skylight at the top of the atrium and construction teams needed to be diligent in their
provides substantial daylight penetration into the core of efforts to prevent the installation of non-compliant
each level of the building. adhesives and sealants throughout the course of the
job. The project team also used low-emitting carpet and
Artificial Lighting composite wood products.
Artificial lighting is state of the art high efficiency
fluorescent and LED fixtures selected to integrate into Permanent entrance mats at the main doors at Queen
the ceilings and achieve recommended light levels while and Spring Garden Road are used to capture dirt and
minimizing the electricity required operating the lights. particulates in high-volume entryways. Dedicated exhaust
Lighting controls take full advantage of available natural for washrooms, kitchenettes and janitors closets control
light with daylight dimming throughout the spaces pollutants at the source from these areas.
with access to natural light, and vacancy sensing to
automatically switch lights off in all vacant areas. Indoor air quality testing conducted after the project’s
substantial completion showed all pollutant levels
Exterior lighting is switched based on astronomical time at significantly lower concentrations than the LEED
clocks to coordinate with annual sunrise and sunset. thresholds. The indoor air quality was described by one
Interior lighting energy is reduced by 62% compared with air quality expert, Ms. Sheila Cole, who is a member of
the reference standard while exterior lighting energy is the Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia
reduced by 91%. Interior lighting energy use is calculated (EHANS) board and was active in work leading to Halifax’s
to be less than 26 kWh/sq m per year. adoption of scent free policies and pesticide ban by-law,
as “remarkably good”.
Indoor Air Quality
Carbon dioxide sensors are used for all densely occupied The building’s HVAC and lighting systems are all digitally
meeting and program spaces and ventilation is adjusted computer controlled.
in real time based on the number of people in a space.
Dedicated outside air heat recovery ventilation units (HRV) To minimize exposure of building occupants to tobacco
have the capacity to provide over 36,000 cubic feet per smoke, signs have been installed that require people
minute (cfm) of fresh air to the building (0.26 cfm per sq ft). to smoke no less than 7.5 meters from the building
entrances and creating occupant awareness that smoking
Low emitting materials were used wherever possible. is prohibited in the building. No smoking signs are
While it is impossible to eliminate Volatile Organic posted near all main entries on the building.

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HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY
Julian Parkinson

WATER CONSERVATION staining that results from transport through vegetation.

The rainwater collection system consists of roof drains,
The new Halifax Central Library reduces the use of piping, pre-filtration prior to entering the rainwater
municipal potable water use through a combination of cistern and post filtration/UV disinfection prior to being
low-flow plumbing fixtures and a rainwater collection and pumped to all of the building’s toilets and urinals.
distribution system.
Most of the numerous roof surfaces at the library are
To determine the reduction in potable water usage for vegetated green roofs – over 50%. This delays and
the building, calculations were completed using the reduces storm water runoff substantially when compared
following variables: estimated water usage by building to the site’s former use as a surface parking lot. A
occupants, roof area of the building draining to the vegetated green roof reduces the amount of energy a
cistern (hard roof surfaces only), effective cistern standard black roof would absorb. This helps reduce
volume (c/w overflow into municipal system), and daily the heat island effect produced by the building, keeping
environment Canada meteorological rainfall data over the interior temperature cooler in summer and warmer
a ten year period. The cistern volume is 68,I 00 liters in winter – which results in more efficient energy use and
and the predicted annual water use is calculated in cooler communities.
accordance with the LEED requirements as 3437 liters
per person per year, or 149 liters/sq.m. per year. Water There are no irrigation systems for any of the site
consumption is 64% lower than a standard building of plantings. All project landscaping has been designed to
similar size and occupancy (as defined by LEED v 1.1). survive with only natural rainfall and no potable water.
Native species of trees have been planted (Red Oak).
Low flow fixtures are installed for the showers, Planting areas include hardy perennials, ornamental
kitchenettes, and washrooms. The washrooms use 1.9 grasses and native ferns and groundcovers including
LPM metered, sensor operated lavatory fixtures. LEED blueberry and teaberry. By selecting local, drought-
reference for lavatory fixtures is 9.5 LPM. Urinals are low resistant species, no irrigation is needed to maintain
volume (0.5 LPF), dual flush toilets (4.2 and 6.0 LPF), and them beyond the initial establishment period. This helps
low-flow shower heads (5.7 LPM). LEED reference is 3.8 reduce the demand on local potable water.
LPF for urinals, 6 LPF for toilets.

Rainwater from the roof of Level 5 is collected in an

underground concrete rainwater cistern. Level 5 is
the highest level of the building and has hard roofing
materials so that rainwater can be collected without the

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HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY
ENERGY PRESENT provide all the necessary heating for the building. In
addition, the boilers can be shut down and all heating

& FUTURE provided by a district heat connection to the Dalhousie

University Central Heating Plant.
Specific energy conservation measures include:
• High performance glazing systems and highly The ventilation systems use a Canadian manufactured
insulated opaque walls and roofs; heat recovery system with an overall efficiency of 90%,
• Waterside economizer on the chiller to allow for free even at very cold ambient temperatures. Only I0% of the
cooling during the cooler months; building’s ventilation heating needs are required to be
• Super high efficiency heat recovery ventilation; provided by the fossil fuel ventilation heating system.
• Lower fan energy as a result of the active chilled The cooling systems include electric water chillers but
heated beam systems; these air-cooled machines are fitted with state of the art
• Energy efficient lighting in conjunction with lighting waterside economizers so that when ambient conditions
control system. allow all the cooling needs of the building can be
delivered without any need for mechanical refrigeration.
These measures result in an energy saving of 34% when
compared with a standard building (ASHRAE 90.1-1999 Areas in the building with taller exterior windows,
reference building). specifically the 1st and 5th floors, also utilize radiant
heating and cooling through the floor. Water is circulated
Although the exterior of the building is entirely through in-floor piping allowing these large surfaces
glass (curtain wall), only 43% of the exterior walls are to be warmed in the winter, or cooled in the summer,
transparent. Efficiencies are achieved by maximizing efficiently conditioning the space.
the benefit of passive solar heating with vision glass
(transparent) on the south exposure. Opaque glass In an effort to reduce ozone depletion and support
panels (57% of exterior wall) are insulated with a soy early compliance with the Montreal Protocol, products
based spray foam achieving overall insulation values were specified without CFC-based or HCFC-based
of R25 and greater. The roof is also heavily insulated refrigerants in HVAC systems or halons in the Library’s
achieving R30 thermal resistance. The double glazed fire suppression equipment. Base building and non-base
windows achieve an exceptional thermal resistance of building HVAC and refrigeration systems, refrigerants,
R3.6, including frame effects. All entrances are carefully cooling capacities and total installed building cooling
controlled with large and practical vestibules. capacity were reviewed by the consultant team to verify
conformance.
The building’s primary heating system offers flexibility
to the owner. Two high efficiency natural gas boilers can

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HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY
 therefore reducing impacts resulting from extraction
and processing of new virgin materials and by-passing
energy and greenhouse gas intensive industrial and
manufacturing processes. The verified recycled content
is more than 21% of the materials in the library (based on
a cost calculation).

Special care was taken in material selection to help

increase demand for building materials and products
that are extracted and manufactured within the region,
thereby supporting the use of indigenous resources
and reducing the environmental impacts resulting from
transportation. More than 21% of the building materials
Adam Mork

in the Library are extracted, processed & manufactured

within a radius of 800 km if transported by truck, and
2500 km if transported to site by rail (based on a cost
calculation).

MATERIALS 77.6% of construction and demolition waste was diverted

As part of the opening ceremonies, a duet from from landfill. (All figures, as defined by LEED NC 1.0).
Symphony Nova Scotia played a short performance in The construction manager was responsible to develop
the flexible performance space on Level I. After striking and implement a Waste Management Plan. Material was
one note on his instrument, the cellist sat back and stated sorted on site, tracking forms were used to account for
that the acoustics were, in his opinion, the best in the all material and waste leaving the construction site and
province and it was a privilege to play in the space. This frequent visual inspections were done.
short analogy is relevant because the material palate of
the Library reflects the importance of beauty, occupant Over 90% of the wood products used throughout the
comfort, durable design, and balances environmental building have been sustainably harvested as defined
principals such as recycled content, local materials, by third party forest certification bodies, such as the
low-emission materials, resource depletion and energy Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). From harvest, to
performance, and maintenance. For instance, sustainably manufacturing and distribution, FSC certification is given
harvested engineered hardwood floors dampen the noise to companies and landowners to verify that they practice
from thousands of feet, while providing a beautiful and sustainable forestry that is consistent with FSC standards.
unique surface for a public building of this size. From the The FSC logo on wood or paper products guarantees
paint on the walls to various flooring types, low­emission that consumers can trust the sources.
materials were carefully selected to improve indoor air
quality. A metal baffle ceiling with high recycled content
and a hidden acoustic blanket mitigate noise pollution
and reverberation, while allowing for easy access to the
mechanical and electrical systems. This holistic approach
to material selection addresses sustainability, durability
and occupant comfort and helps create an inspiring and
beautiful space for decades to come.

Two LEED credits are available for projects that include

more than 15% of total building components to be
made from recycled material. Common examples
include slag or flyash in concrete and steel from recycled
sources. The intent is to increase demand for building
products that incorporate recycled content materials,

GREEN DESIGN FEATURES / LEED ® PROJECT CASE STUDY 7

HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY
Adam Mork

LIFE CYCLE and curiosity for sustainability, green design and LEED™
buildings. These objectives were met through the

CONSIDERATIONS following measures:

• distributing this case study widely through the
An independent consultant was retained to review the Library website,
design and construction of architectural components and • available tours that highlight sustainable features in
assemblies to verify their durability. A building durability the building,
plan was developed according to a national standard • informative signage about green features
(CSA-S478). throughout the library,
• pamphlets,
From the perspective of the library and its users, life • numerous newspaper, magazine and journal articles.
cycle considerations included the ability to adapt to
change, as the community’s needs change over time. The
library was designed to accommodate this. The floors
were structurally designed for a library load throughout, PERFORMANCE
allowing the collection to be moved anywhere. Partitions
are easily moved and the mechanical and electrical INFORMATION
systems can be adapted to virtually any new layout. Energy intensity (building and process energy)
in MJ/m2/year = 701 MJ/m2/year

Energy intensity reduction relative to reference building

GREEN BUILDING under MNECB (%) = 39.3 %

DEMONSTRATION/ Potable water consumption from municipal sources

EDUCATION
in L/occupant/year = 3,437 L/occupant/year

Reduction in potable water consumption relative to

The green building education plan focuses primarily on
reference building (%) = 64%
communicating the unique attributes of Halifax Central
Library to its occupants. The green building education
Regional materials (800km radius) by value (%) = 21.6%
plan’s objectives are to educate the occupants on the
benefits of LEED™ buildings, develop and encourage Recycled materials by value (%) = 21.6%
an understanding of the unique working systems that
function in their building, foster a sense of pride and Certified Wood Content by value (%) = 90.52%
ownership for the building, and to stimulate conversation

GREEN DESIGN FEATURES / LEED ® PROJECT CASE STUDY 8

HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY
 46 Target Points LEED® Canada V1.1 HRM Library Available Points 70
Pending Points

P Required prerequisite point Certified 26 to 32 points

1 Target point Silver 33 to 38 points
? Pending point Gold 39 to 51 points
N Point not targeted Platinum 52 or more points
9 Sustainable Sites Available Points 14 8 Materials & Resources Available Points 14
P Prereq 1 Erosion & Sedimentation Control P Prereq 1 Storage & Collection of Recyclables
Y Credit 1 Site Selection 1 N Credit 1.1 Building Reuse, Maintain 75% of Existing Shell 1
Y Credit 2 Development Density 1 N Credit 1.2 Building Reuse, Maintain 100% of Existing Shell 1
Y Credit 3 Redevelopment of Contaminated Sites 1 N Credit 1.3 Building Reuse, Maintain 50% of Interior Non-Shell 1
Y Credit 4.1 Alternative Transportation, Public Transportation Access 1 Y Credit 2.1 Construction Waste Management, Divert 50% 1
Y Credit 4.2 Alternative Transportation, Bicycle Storage & Changing Rooms 1 Y Credit 2.2 Construction Waste Management, Divert 75% 1
Y Credit 4.3 Alternative Transportation, Hybrid & Alternative Fuel Vehicles 1 N Credit 3.1 Resource Reuse, Specify 5% 1
N Credit 4.4 Alternative Transportation, Parking Capacity 1 N Credit 3.2 Resource Reuse, Specify 10% 1
Y Credit 5.1 Reduced Site Disturbance, Protect or Restore Open Space 1 Y Credit 4.1 Recycled Content, Specify 7.5% (post consumer +1/2 post industrial) 1
N Credit 5.2 Reduced Site Disturbance, Development Footprint 1 Y Credit 4.2 Recycled Content, Specify 15% (post consumer +1/2 post industrial) 1
N Credit 6.1 Stormwater Management, Rate and Quantity 1 Y Credit 5.1 Regional Materials, 10% Extracted & Manufactured Regionally 1
N Credit 6.2 Stormwater Management, Treatment 1 Y Credit 5.2 Regional Materials, 20% Extracted & Manufactured Regionally 1
Y Credit 7.1 Reduce Heat Islands, Non-Roof 1 N Credit 6 Rapidly Renewable Materials, 5% Rapidly Renewable. 1
Y Credit 7.2 Reduce Heat Islands, Roof 1 Y Credit 7 Certified Wood 1
N Credit 8 Light Pollution Reduction 1 Y Credit 8 Durable Building 1

5 Water Efficiency Available Points 5 11 Indoor Environmental Quality Available Points 15

Y Credit 1.1 Water Efficient Landscaping, Reduce by 50% 1 P Prereq 1 Minimum IAQ Performance, ASHRAE 62
Y Credit 1.2 Water Efficient Landscaping, No Potable Use or No Irrigation 1 P Prereq 2 Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control
Y Credit 2 Innovative Wastewater Technologies 1 Y Credit 1 Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Monitoring 1
Y Credit 3.1 Water Use Reduction, 20% Reduction 1 N Credit 2 Ventilation Effectiveness 1
Y Credit 3.2 Water Use Reduction, 30% Reduction 1 Y Credit 3.1 Construction IAQ Management, During Construction 1
Y Credit 3.2 Construction IAQ Management, Testing Before Occupancy 1
8 Energy & Atmosphere Available Points 17 Y Credit 4.1 Low-Emitting Materials, Adhesives & Sealants 1
P Prereq 1 Fundamental Building Systems Commissioning Y Credit 4.2 Low-Emitting Materials, Paints & Coatings 1
P Prereq 2 Minimum Energy Performance Y Credit 4.3 Low-Emitting Materials, Carpet 1
P Prereq 3 CFC Reduction in HVAC&R Equipment Y Credit 4.4 Low-Emitting Materials, Composite Wood & Laminate Adhesives 1
5 Credit 1.1 Optimize Energy Performance 10 Y Credit 5 Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control 1
N Credit 2.1 Renewable Energy, 5% 1 N Credit 6.1 Controllability of Systems, Perimeter Spaces 1
N Credit 2.2 Renewable Energy, 10% 1 N Credit 6.2 Controllability of Systems, Non-Perimeter Spaces 1
N Credit 2.3 Renewable Energy, 20% 1 Y Credit 7.1 Thermal Comfort, Compliance 1
Y Credit 3 Best Practice Commissioning 1 Y Credit 7.2 Thermal Comfort, Monitoring 1
Y Credit 4 Ozone Protection 1 N Credit 8.1 Daylight 75% of Spaces 1
N Credit 5 Measurement & Verification 1 Y Credit 8.2 Views for 90% of Spaces 1
Y Credit 6 Green Power 1
5 Innovation & Design Process Available Points 5
All credits are subject to review and approval by the Canada Green Y Credit 1.1 Exemplary performance - Water Efficiency 1
Building Council (CaGBC). Solterre Design can not guarantee that Y Credit 1.2 Exemplary Performance - SSc4.1 Public Transportation Access 1
the points identified on this form will be awarded through the Y Credit 1.3 Demonstration & Education 1
CaGBC's review process. Y Credit 1.4 LEED for Schools Joint Use 1
Y Credit 2 LEED™ Accredited Professional 1
16-02-08
Solterre Design