Eos Public Library
Instructors: Joyce Kim, Elizabeth English
Team: Mapendo Ngilinga de Carvalho, Lacey Oliver, Joyceline Nathaniel
Media: Rhino, AutoCAD, Lumion & Illustrator
Project Status: Energy Efficient Library Concept
Fall 2020
Background
The Eos Public Library focuses on the application of climate-responsive strategies in the early stage design of a “tiny” library. Specifically, the library’s design will explore and employ passive strategies that respond to the challenges and opportunities of the focused climate, Edmonton Alberta. The project creates connections between the specified climate and enhances the building’s energy performance, occupant comfort, and aesthetic qualities.
The municipal government of Edmonton is designing a new type of public library that is energy efficient and quick to install in local communities to improve access to books and knowledge. The Eos Public Library design will create a new model that could be replicated elsewhere in the city. The design has a clear attitude towards the relationship between the interior and the environmental context and negotiates the change between inside and outside and the transition within the space by understanding the occupant’s experience spatially and thermally. All of the strategies and methods mentioned throughout the project page combine to create an elegant building that performs with extreme efficiency, creating an atmosphere that will be comfortable for occupants to encounter with over the years to come.
Environment
As one of the most northern inland cities in the world, the climate of Edmonton presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. During the coldest month of the year, the average temperature drops to -14.8° Celsius. To correct this, indoor spaces will have to leverage sources of passive heating in order to create warm and consistent microclimates. With an average cloud coverage of 60%, larger windows can be incorporated without fear of overheating. By orienting the building towards the South, the southern façade will receive maximal solar heat throughout the year and can be leveraged during winter when the building needs it the most.
In the summer, the average temperature reaches up to 17.5° Celsius in the hottest month. These climate values can begin to play a role as a source of overheating within indoor spaces. To mitigate this risk, south glazing can be shaded either internally with thermal curtains, or externally with the removable horizontal shade that is placed on the patio space. To ensure proper ventilation during the hottest days of the year, the building can begin to leverage Edmonton’s cool Northwestern breeze during the summer with low awnings on the West façade. By placing elevated awning windows on the East façade, these windows begin to act as an exit exhaust for the rising hot air, circulating the air in a proper manner.
Finally, the few weeks in the year during which Edmonton’s temperature reaches comfort level, covered patio spaces can connect outdoors to indoors while offering shelter from the heavier summer precipitation.
Site Plan (J.Nathaniel)
Red (Summer Elements) - Blue (Winter Elements)
Strategy
Due to Edmonton’s cold climate, the thermal experiential goals devised for this tiny library must focus on creating a warm, uniform microclimate to maximize occupant comfort. In addition, the typology of the library also comes with its own set of experiential goals, such as proper daylighting.
The programming strategy of the space must therefore take into account Edmonton’s unique environmental conditions as well as the specific requirements of public library space. A central fireplace will provide a source of heat for the entire library as well as acting as a symbol for family and relaxation. Entering the library, people will first go through a vestibule on the north facade, both acting as a buffer zone between the climatized interior and the buildings coldest side and creating a smoother transition for the occupant.
Reading and working areas will be located near windows and thus will benefit from the increased solar gain for a more thermally comfortable experience in the winter, and in the summer the opening of awnings will provide a cool breeze. In addition, these spaces will benefit from more lighting, ideal for reading and working. Finally, occupants can enjoy fresh outdoor air in the summer by exiting through the south door onto a covered patio space.
South Elevation
East Elevation
Passive
Looking at precedents in other cold climates, solar gain proved to be one of the most potent passive strategies for moderating a microclimate in cold environments. Pursuing research on other passive means of indoor temperature regulation, additional strategies were noted.
For heating, the solar gain will be harnessed through large south glazing; thermal mass in the form of concrete floors and mass timber structures will reduce indoor temperature fluctuations; a heat recovery ventilator will reduce heat loss; cellular window shades with insulated tracks will ensure maximum heat retention; east and west windows will be surface treated to reduce radiation and heat emission, and finally industrial ceiling fans will push warm stratified air downwards.
For cooling, vertical shading on the west side will block the warm rays of summer sunsets; internal shading devices will block solar radiation coming from windows; operable windows will be opened to enable cross ventilation (low Northwest entry, high Southeast exit); a high ceiling will increase the effectiveness of air stratification allowing cold dense air to sink, and finally window treatments on the East and West glazing will minimize radiation and reflect heat back outside. Geothermal pipes for radiant heating and cooling will also be embedded within the concrete floors.
Passive Strategy Axonometric (M.Carvalho)
