New Canaan Library, New Canaan, CT
A/C: Centerbrook Architects and Planners, Turner Construction
NRMCA: Urban Mining (Lou Grasso) & O&G (Chris Cotulio)
46,000 sf

NRMCA Senior Director of Building Innovations Frank Mruk nominates the New Canaan CT Library which focuses on using locally sourced, recycled, energy efficient and low carbon materials. Studies have shown that locally sourced recycled building materials help to reduce the amount of energy that is consumed (and emissions produced) when building new structures. Researchers found that remaking building materials from recycled ones uses 10-25% less energy, compared to not using recycled materials. The concrete that the library uses is Pozzotive®, a locally sourced, recycled, ground glass pozzolan (GGP) manufactured by Urban Mining Industries (UMI). O&G Industries, a CRMCA & NRMCA member, has also been actively involved in the manufacturing and use of this important new pozzolan. The crushed glass used in the concrete was actually recycled in Connecticut. Utilizing recycled local materials are often an opportunity that is overlooked in new construction. The library was Centerbrook's pilot project for integrating new energy modeling into the design process, spawning the creation of a new Sustainability Action Plan designed to help buildings approach net zero and carbon neutrality.

The New Canaan Library references modern traditions and mid-century architectural treasures with its forms and composition. Some of the library’s sustainability strategies include renewable energy generation; state-of-the-art electric heat pumps and energy recovery systems; material-sourced investigation; daylight-capturing optimization strategies; and high-performance, bird-friendly glazing. The project also features innovations like:
• The Pozzotive Concrete, substituted up to 30% of the Portland cement in the concrete mix. This resulted in a nearly one-to-one 30% carbon emissions reduction while improving structural strength.
• Felt Ceilings made in large part from recycled plastic containers
• Local Stone Veneer only one inch thick, cutting down on production and transportation emissions and making room for insulation behind it
• Milk Jug Furniture made from recycled milk jugs
• Smart Networked Lighting which gives the right amount of light while saving energy
• Preserved Moss Wall
• Vapor Fireplace
The building is all electric, with an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 17, which is 89 percent lower than the baseline EUI.