Engberg Anderson

Elgin, IL

Status: Competed August, 2009
Square Feet: 10,000 sf
Construction Cost: $3,400,000 

Optimum planning allows the library to operate this branch with a minimum number of staff; emphasizing customer interaction over material handling as the primary staff function will maintain the desired quality of library service. "Floating" librarians, express check, digital reference and, ultimately, automated sorting are all accommodated at the Rakow Public Library.

 Using the LEED Rating System as a template, Engberg Anderson has integrated three crucial sustainable strategies in order to “achieve” a certification. The combination of cool daylighting, energy efficiency, and stormwater management has a compounding effect on the project that each would not have by itself. Together these strategies are a reasonable, civic-minded, and contemporary response to firmitas, utilitas, and venustas.

The project has been registered with the U.S. Green Building Council®, and anticipates becoming LEED-NC® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - New Construction) Silver certified.