The North Kohala Public Library occupies a three-acre site in the rural Big Island community of Kapaau. The 5,877 square foot building contains circulation, stack and reading areas, workroom, support spaces, a special climate-controlled room for the North Kohala Historical Archives, and a community meeting room. The reading room incorporates seating nooks in bay windows to take maximum advantage of natural light and the library’s wooded setting. Large sliding doors allow the community room to open to the covered lanais that edge it and to a large lawn beyond.

The design features a conical roof with broad sheltering eaves in response to the high winds and rain that frequently occur at the site. A high clerestory above the circulation desk admits natural light to the center of the building. An area of future expansion is identified and incorporated into the facility plan.

The long approach driveway has a book drop-off and turnaround near its intersection with the street. Twenty parking stalls are provided. A separate service entry and loading space is located near the workroom.

The facility was awarded a LEED® Gold certification-the first State of Hawaii-owned project to receive LEED Gold. Sustainable design concepts employed include protecting the natural habitat, daylighting, photovoltaic and wind power electricity generation, solar water heating, a water catchment system, ultra low flow plumbing fixtures, mixed mode natural ventilation and mechanical air conditioning and indoor air quality sensors.

Completion date: 2010                      Cost: $6,895,900

2012 KUKULU HALE GREEN BUILDING AWARD

NAIOP Hawaii

*The ‘LEED Certification Mark’ is a registered trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used by permission.