South Jamaica Branch Library

The first building designed and constructed under the NYC High Performance Building Guidelines, this 14,000 SF $3.1 million project includes rooftop light-monitors which provide indirect daylighting with automated shading and lighting controls, integrated direct solar gain and gravity exhaust systems. The project received the Committee for the Environment Top Ten Award from the national AIA and has been featured by numerous publications as among New York City’s first “green” buildings.

Research, design and construction documents were by The Stein Partnership and construction administration was by Stein White Architects, predecessor firms to Elemental Architecture. Carl Stein, FAIA was principal-in-charge throughout.

Project Data
Client: New York City Department of Design & Construction + Queens Borough Public Library
Project Size: 14,000 square feet
Construction Cost: $3,100,000
Services: Full Architectural Services
Completed: 1999