Libraries in Harmony: Sacramento County (Calif.) Public Library

While not necessarily part of a building proper, the landscaping of a library has a big impact on the user’s experience. It can also have a big impact on the greenness of a construction project by reducing pollution and promoting biodiversity.

Sacramento County (Calif.) Public Library’s Valley Hi/North Laguna Library’s overall site layout radiates from a prominently placed coast live oak tree. The building’s V-shaped roof funnels rain water through a river rock basin and around the live oak to a bioswale, while two more bioswales clean runoff from the parking lot and the public street. Landscape plantings consist of native and drought-tolerant plants, which contributed to a 50% reduction in water consumption for irrigation.

Architect: Noll and Tam Architects

Photo: David Wakely