Scheduled to open in the fall of 2010, the new 18,420 square foot Prairie Creek Branch Library will combine architecture, landscape, and art into an integrated approach to the sustainable design of a modern library. Located on a 3.87 acre site in southeast Dallas at the intersection of Lake June and St. Augustine, the library has been designed by dsgn associates of Dallas to achieve a GOLD level of certification by the United States Green Building Council, one of the highest recognitions for green building design.

Tall Grass Prairie

The site design for the new library will re-create a one-acre tall grass prairie as a landscape feature, recalling the blackland prairies that inspired the name of nearby Prairie Creek. The planning of the library building itself takes full advantage of this visual amenity, with the Reading Room having dramatic, expansive views to both north and south across the expanse of native grasses. Other advantages to this approach are lower initial maintenance and operation costs, greatly reduced water consumption for site irrigation, and establishment of wildlife habitat, especially for birds. For the remainder of the site, Mesa Design Group, landscape architects, have selected a compatible range of trees, ground covers, and other plantings native to Texas to complement and enhance the overall site design.

Sustainable Features

Other sustainable design features of Prairie Creek Branch Library include an array of photo voltaic panels, careful solar orientation of the building and its windows, a geothermal air conditioning and heating system, a grey water recycling system, and regionally produced stone and brick for the exterior finishes. In addition to achieving LEED GOLD certification, the building is expected to meet the 2030 Challenge, consuming approximately 30% less off-site electricity when compared to code, and approximately 50% less when compared to older Dallas libraries.

Educational Innovation

One of the potential points towards LEED GOLD certification will be an innovative educational point. To achieve this point, architects from dsgn associates and City employees have teamed up to create public awareness about the unique features of the library. The conservation and pollution prevention aspects of the prairie grass will be emphasized so that neighboring residents do not mistake the tall grass prairie for unmowed grass, something that a resident could be potentially cited for by the City’s Code Compliance department.

Community Outreach

Additionally, an educational presentation about how the new library helps the environment will be taken to neighboring schools, congregations and Home Owner’s Associations. All local stakeholders are welcome to attend the groundbreaking on January 9th as well as other events throughout the building process.

-Robert L. Meckfessel is an architect with dsgn associates, the company contracted with the City to work on the Prairie Creek Library. He is FAIA LEED AP certified.