Showcase Gallery

Cooroy Library

Cooroy Library

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  Local children enjoying the new facilities
  Photo Courtesy of Phil Jackson Professional Photos
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  Cooroy Library by twilight
  Photo Courtesy of Phil Jackson Professional Photos
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  Our wonderful childrens area
  Photo Courtesy of Phil Jackson Professional Photos
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  Our peaceful lounge, looking out onto our beautiful outdoor setting
  Photo Courtesy of Phil Jackson Professional Photos
  
  Mechanical Services
  • Natural ventilation is a feature of the building operations. Internal spaces utilize mixed mode ventilation with air dispersed at low level through the floor. This allows the system to be switched off and opened up to natural ventilation when outside air conditions permit.
  • A displacement system of air conditioning is installed which conditions the occupied zone only with air entering the spaces at floor level and being relieved at high level. This system uses less energy than traditional systems and provides a better quality of air into the spaces.
  • A weather station measures temperature and wind speed and direction to determine when conditions are suitable for natural ventilation. Sensors on the external doors ensure that natural ventilation and mechanical air conditioning does not occur at the same time.
  • Geothermal bores provide approximately 20kW of fr
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  A view from the roof
  Photo Courtesy of Phil Jackson Professional Photos
  
  Efficient Building Design
  • The building has been cut into the ground, and part of the roof is covered with soil and grass. Both of these elements help control the variation of internal temperatures between daytime and night-time and reduces the amount of heat that the building ‘soaks up” during the day.
  • The building has deep verandahs on its north-western side and vertical sunshading screens which control the amount of heat load from direct sun hitting the glazed surfaces and entering the space. Shading the glass walls reduces heat load into the building, and maintains a better control of the internal environment.
  • High levels of diffused natural lighting have been provided to the building through glass walls and through high level windows in the middle lantern section of the building and on the eastern facades. With this high level of natural day lighting, the building requires less artificial lighting during the day time
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  A view down the Library
  Photo Courtesy of Phil Jackson Professional Photos
  
  Water Conservation/Hydraulic Services
  • Solar heating of hot water occurs using roof mounted solar collector heat exchangers.
  • A 20,000L below ground rainwater harvesting tank is used for both the irrigation of the landscape as well as for toilet and urinal flushing within the library.
  • Water efficient tapware help reduce water consumption on site.
  • On a smaller scale, to help reduce energy consumption of kitchen fixtures such as boiling and chilled water units, all of the units specified will have inbuilt timers to control operation so that they shut down outside of operating hours.
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  The front entrance
  Photo Courtesy of Phil Jackson Professional Photos
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  The front of the Library
  Photo Courtesy of Phil Jackson Professional Photos
  
  Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  Energy efficiency has been a key factor in the design rationale. This can be seen in estimates of savings attributed to individual design components eg:
  • The photovoltaic cells reduce the buildings CO2 annual emissions by approximately 13 tonnes.
  • The geothermal bores reduce the buildings CO2 annual emissions by approximately 7 tonnes.
  • The electrical use of the hot water system is reduced by providing a solar preheat option and sufficient storage so that during a peak summer day, up to 100% of hot water used will be via the solar panels and as such no electricity will be used.
  • The fabric of the building construction meets the requirements of section J of the BCA which relates to energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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  Stairway to the roof and the butter factory
  Photo Courtesy of Phil Jackson Professional Photos
  
  Electrical Services
  • Photo voltaic cells are mounted on the roof and are capable of generating 5kW of green power. This is sufficient power for approximately 40% of the buildings internal lighting needs.
  • Energy efficient lamps with light fitting switching maximise the benefits of day lighting.
  • Solar Hot water heating is installed on the roof, using heat exchangers.