Gail Borden Public Library, Rakow Branch, Elgin, Ill.Gail Borden Public Library, Rakow Branch, Elgin, Ill.
Award of Merit - Cultural
The design of this new 10,000-sq-ft LEED Gold-certified branch library integrates cool daylighting; geothermal heating and cooling; and on-site stormwater management.
This eye to efficiency is carried through the planning to allow the library to operate the branch with a minimum number of staff.
“Floating” librarians, express check, digital reference and automated sorting are integrated into the atmosphere of this new model for library service.
In the conceptual design phase of the project, the construction manager developed a very detailed cost projection based on the documents available as well as many discussions with the architectural design team.
Once the cost projection was complete, the architectural team and construction management team evaluated the costs in great detail to not only confirm costs were accurate with regards to the design concept but to also uncover hidden value.
The coordination continued in construction to ensure that the building design, which was heavily reliant on precise alignments and juxtaposition of materials, was realized through the skill and care of multiple trades.
The result of this intense teamwork is a beautiful, functional facility that was constructed on budget and schedule.
Key Players
Developer/Owner: Gail Borden Public Library District, Elgin, Ill.
CM: Shales McNutt, Elgin, Ill.
Architect: Engberg Anderson, Milwaukee.
Civil Engineer: Arnold & O’Sheridan Inc., Madison, Wis.
Structural Engineer: Pierce Engineers Inc., Milwaukee
MEP Engineer: Henneman Engineering, Champaign, Ill.
