First Passive House Library

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Carrick Neighborhood

The library of today is more than a repository for books and a quiet place for study. It is a community center, an internet and tech hub, a space for after-school programs, and a place to access information in all its forms. WPPSEF provided a grant to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) to co-fund the construction of Carrick Neighborhood library to Passive House high performance building standards.  These standards reduce the building’s ecological footprint by producing an ultra-low energy efficient that requires a fraction of the electric use for heating and cooling, while delivering superior levels of comfort.  The new, 8,000 square foot two-story library building replaced the outdated one-story CLP Carrick Library. The library’s vertical expansion enhances the streetscape along Pittsburgh’s Brownville Road and allows the Carrick Branch to gain more visibility as the valued civic resource that it is. The street-facing facade makes use of glazing to balance daylighting with thermal performance while establishing a strong and welcoming connection between street and library interior.

Impact

First Passive House certified library in North America

8,000 square feet

70,000 + visitors annually

Consumes less than 38.0 kbtu per square foot per year total energy source

Passes air tightness test at the rate of 0.6 air changes per hour @ 50 pascals