The projects featured in this section each exhibit interesting approaches to sustainability.

The walls at Austin (Tex.) Public Library’s North Village branch were built using Durisol, a type of insulated concrete form (ICF) block made from ground-up wooden industrial palettes instead of polystyrene. ICF blocks are not structural but they do provide insulation and hold structural reinforced concrete in place. Durisol prevents air conditioning loss and also helps to deaden sound

Architect: Limbacher & Godfrey, Inc.

Photo: Paul Bardagjy