EVELYN MEADOR BRANCH LIBRARY

21,000 FT²

2.9 ACRE SITE WITH CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS, RAIN GARDENS, AND BIOSWALES

31,980 GALLONS OF RAINWATER DETENTION

74,918 GALLONS OF RAINWATER RETENTION FOR ONSITE LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION

LEED GOLD CERTIFICATION

ADVANCED STORM WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

IDEAL BUILDING ORIENTATION

DEEP ROOF OVERHANGS REDUCE AMOUNT OF SOLAR HEAT GAIN THROUGH THE GLASS

Harris County presented E+A with the program of a recently complete 40,000 square foot library hoping to incorporate all elements in a new 20,000 facility. E+A’s design concept accommodated 75% of the prior program in 21,000 ft² by leveraging multi-use areas as well as a careful layout to reduce circulation. Expansive views of the adjacent public park expand the customer-perceived building size and bring ample day-lighting to the reading areas. The views are shaded by deep south-east and north-west overhangs and include roll-down hurricane shutters, enabling the use of the building as an emergency hurricane shelter for the community.