Drakeford Library Complex Sustainability Features

The Drakeford Library Complex, a building shared by the Town of Carrboro and Orange County, is living proof of the Town and County's commitment to climate action and sustainability. This LEED silver eligible building features many advanced green building and sustainability features that reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions while building resilience to the impacts of climate change, including: 

ROOFTOP SOLAR ARRAY

The Drakeford Library Complex is powered by the sun! In a few months, when fully operational, the building’s 155 solar panels will capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity. This 75-kW photovoltaic solar array off-sets approximately 12% of the building’s total energy usage, lowering electricity costs and shrinking the carbon footprint of this amazing green building.

DAYLIGHT HARVESTING

Daylight harvesting in the Drakeford Library Complex takes advantage of natural daylight to reduce the need for artificial lighting. All buildings have windows, of course, but green buildings like this one use daylight harvesting to reduce energy consumption. Automatic light control systems sense the amount of natural light in key spaces throughout the building and adjust the electric lights to provide just the right level of illumination. The Drakeford also uses daylighting features like this skylight to bring more sunlight into the space. These two strategies not only lower energy costs and climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions, they also create a more pleasant and healthy space.

SOLAR CONTROL

One of the most effective strategies to keep buildings in the Southeast cool during the hot summer is to close the blinds. The Drakeford Library Complex takes this energy-saving practice to the next level by using overhangs on south-facing windows to block the sun and treating the windows with UV resistant film that blocks glare and excessive heat.

REGENERATIVE DRIVE ELEVATORS

Like the technology that recharges a hybrid vehicle’s battery while pressing the breaks, regenerative technology captures the energy created when the elevators descend and turns it into usable energy. This smart solution cuts down on the energy needed to run the elevators making them more sustainable and cost-effective.

ALL-ELECTRIC EFFICIENT BUILDING SYSTEMS

The future is electric! Over time, as the electric grid is powered by more and more renewables like solar and wind, all-electric buildings like the Drakeford Library Complex will become even greener and more sustainable.

This facility uses approximately 20-30% less energy than a typical building.  It incorporates sustainable, energy saving solutions such as advanced building controls, optimized LED lighting, super-efficient HVAC systems, on-demand hot water heaters, and high-performance building envelope materials.

HIGH-EFFICIENCY HEATING AND COOLING

This building is heated and cooled by a super high efficiency all-electric HVAC system called a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system. Most HVAC systems for large buildings require separate air conditioners and heating systems. The VFR system efficiently heats and cools the Drakeford using a single outdoor unit that pumps refrigerant throughout the building. Individual thermostats communicate with the outdoor unit which adjusts the refrigerant flow based on the desired temperature in that zone. If cooling is needed, the refrigerant absorbs the heat from the room’s air, cooling it down, and then blows the chilled air into the space. If heating is needed, the system’s reversing valve changes the direction of the refrigerant flow to absorb heat from the outside air and deliver it to the indoor space.

One reason the VFR is so energy efficient is that it can efficiently heat or cool different spaces at the same time. For example, if the library needs heat and the theater needs air conditioning, the VFR can keep both spaces comfortable. To save even more energy, it uses heat recovery to transfer the excess heat from a cooling zone to heat up a zone that’s a little chilly. Because the system only sends the just the right amount of heating or air conditioning to make each space comfortable, it is one of the most energy efficient HVAC systems available.

GREEN ROOFS

When it rains, water runs off rooftops and into nearby streams, picking up dirt and pollution and sometimes causing flooding. Instead of using materials like metal or concrete, the Drakeford Library Complex has two green roofs like the one you see here. This green roof uses small, tough sedum plants to absorb rainwater so less water flows off the building and into streams.

Green roofs reduce flooding, save energy by adding insulation, moderate the heat island effect downtown and make turn an empty rooftop into a useful, green space that helps the environment. They also create beautiful, relaxing spaces that attract pollinators.

The Drakeford also uses bright white high albedo roofing to reflect the sun’s rays rather than absorbing that heat. This keeps it cooler inside the building, saving energy.

WATER SAVING FIXTURES

All plumbing fixtures in the Drakeford Library Complex are Water-Sense certified which means that they use less water while still providing good water pressure and performance. This includes the Drakeford’s high-efficiency toilets and water-efficient faucets.

EV CHARGERS + BIKE PARKING

Reducing the number of gas-powered vehicles traveling to this facility helps reduce unhealthy air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Head out these doors into the parking deck to find the Drakeford Library Complex’s five Level 2 EV Chargers. Another 25 parking spots are equipped with EV-ready infrastructure for future chargers.

The parking deck also includes 70 bike parking spots to encourage visitors to bike to the Drakeford and explore all that downtown Carrboro has to offer.  

NATIVE PLANTS

The landscaping surrounding the Drakeford Library Complex is planted with native species. Because they are adapted to grow in the Piedmont of North Carolina, these hearty plants require less maintenance and once established, will not need regular watering to thrive. They also provide the perfect habitat for native pollinators.

HOW THE DRAKEFORD LIBRARY COMPLEX MANAGES RAIN

The Drakeford Library Complex is an example of how communities can use nature and design elements to help manage stormwater. These designs reduce flooding, improve water quality, create more green spaces, and help keep our community clean, safe, and ready for all kinds of weather.

Bioretention Cells

These areas filled with special soil and plants are stormwater features called bioretention cells. By storing rainwater instead of letting it rush into drains and carry pollution to rivers, these systems slow the water down, absorb it, and help clean it.

Mimicking nature, the cells use layers of 4 feet of underground soil and 1 foot of stones to help absorb and clean the water, allowing time for filtering and removal of pollutants. Once treated, the cleaner water flows into hidden drains and on to the stream. The bioretention cells help keep aquatic ecosystems healthy, protecting the plants, insects, fish and other animals that live there.  

Silva Cells

The Drakeford Library Complex’s trees are planted in underground systems called Silva Cells. These systems are filled with special sandy material that help the trees grow strong by providing good soil and space for their roots to grow. The Silva Cells also store and slowly release extra water when the tree needs it.

Green Roofs

Instead of using materials like metal or concrete, the Drakeford Library Complex has two green roofs covered with plants. This building’s green roof uses small, tough sedum plants to absorb rainwater so less water flows off the building and into streams.

Green roofs reduce flooding, save energy by adding insulation, moderate the heat island effect downtown and turn an empty rooftop into a useful, green space that helps the environment. They also create beautiful, relaxing spaces that attract pollinators.