Milwaukee Public Library, Central Library

Sustainable Construction: The need to replace the leaky roof of the 1954 Beaux-Arts addition offered an opportunity to enhance both sustainability and education. The 30,000-square-foot roof is planted with native grasses and sedums that give the roof a variety of textures and colors throughout the year, while a 30-kilowatt photovoltaic array generates power for the building. The roof also features an observation deck, while a formerly unused alcove on the first floor now houses an education center about sustainability with a live webcam of the roof and monitors that stream rooftop data.
Architect: HGA Architects and Engineers
Photo: Heather Cook Elliott, HGA (exterior), John Korom (interior)