The City of Santa Clarita was recently awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification for the Old Town Newhall Library for its efficient and sustainable design features.

This is the City’s second Gold LEED building—the first was the Transit Maintenance Facility.
The Old Town Newhall Library demonstrates “cutting edge design practices,” according to LEED, with natural daylighting, an energy efficient building envelope, efficient variable air volume fan units and a water-cooled mechanical system, which is placed inside the building to preserve the historic nature of the exterior aesthetic.

Other sustainable features of the 30,000 square-foot, free-standing public library include the use of drought tolerant, native plants that use 50 percent less water in the landscape; and the use of paints and other surface materials that have low levels of undesirable toxic fumes.

Over 90 percent of the construction waste was diverted from local landfills through recycling efforts, and one-third of the building materials used were sourced and fabricated within 500 miles of the project site.

“The benefits of a Gold LEED certified building include lower operating costs, waste reduction, water conservation, greenhouse gas emission reduction and a healthy and safer building. By using less energy and water, a LEED certified building saves money for taxpayers and contributes to a healthier environment for residents, and the larger community,” said Mayor Marsha McLean.

The Old Town Newhall Library was the first project completed in 2012 as part of the City’s revitalization of Old Town Newhall.

Designed to use one-third less energy than a typical library, the Old Town Newhall library features a large community meeting space, public garden, vibrant children’s area, teen center, homework center, local history department and a heritage reading room.

The historical and public art displays are utilized to help root the library firmly into the eclectic history of the community.

For additional information about the Old Town Newhall Library project, please contact City of Santa Clarita Senior Engineer Harry Corder at (661) 286-4025.

More information about LEED certification can be found by visiting www.usgbc.org/leed.