Our client
Named for Highland city’s former manager and current mayor, the Highland Sam J. Racadio Library and Environmental Learning Center is a truly unique library experience. Nearly triple the size of the county’s previous library, the new space promotes community learning not only through books, but also through a variety of tactile, interactive features. Highland Library has all the standard amenities—study and conference rooms, a computer lab, community rooms—and in addition to these, a science lab, an enclosed outdoor auditorium, and a Discovery Room that houses a variety of small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and both fresh and saltwater fish. A 2,000-square-foot Exhibit Room features permanent and rotating interactive learning displays on topics like the environment and consumer recycling, and the facility is crowned by a 15,000-square-foot rooftop garden that provides natural insulation, tactile learning features, and produce to feed the facility’s animals.
Project highlights
Their challenge
The distinctive setup of the facility led to unique mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design challenges, but Salas O’Brien’s engineers were up to the task.
Our solution
City officials placed a high priority on sustainability for this facility, and our team’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design helped them achieve their goals. The center is built with 28% recycled or reused materials, makes extensive use of natural light, and utilizes high thermal-resistant materials for reducing heating and cooling loads.
The results
In tandem with the project’s many sustainable elements, Salas O’Brien’s designs led to a highly efficient end result. The building went on to earn LEED Gold certification.
