Darien Library

The Darien Library is a new 52,000 SF facility located on The Post Road at Hecker Avenue in Darien, Connecticut. The new facility includes a children’s library, program room, art gallery/café, adult services library, a conference/library board room, community meeting room, study rooms, and administrative offices; and was designed with the intent of a LEED Gold building.

Mr. Rice led the design team state-of-the-art mechanical and electrical systems for the facility and performed the energy model using the DOE-II software program, achieving a 40% energy cost reduction over a baseline building meeting minimum energy standards. The project has achieved LEED®-NC Gold certification.

Engineering features of the building included: a high performance building envelope with improved thermal properties and high efficiency low-E glazing; a standing column well geothermal heat pump system; variable-air-volume air distribution system; air-to-air heat recovery system; natural lighting in all spaces with day lighting controls; a biofiltration stormwater system, and storm water retention for irrigation system. (Prior Experience)