Notes:
Notes:
"April 22, 2006, Seattle, Washington To mark Earth Day 2006 the American Institute of Architects and its Committee on the Environment announced its annual Top Ten Green Buildings of 2006. Among this year's projects is the Ballard Library and Neighborhood Service Center in Seattle designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. The Ballard project consists of a 15,000-square-foot library, a 3,600-square-foot neighborhood service center, and 18,000 square feet of below-grade parking. The Library's location is rapidly becoming the civic core of the neighborhood and is easily accessible for pedestrians, bicycles, and public transit. The public nature of this building dictated a collaborative process among the architect, Seattle Public Library, Neighborhood Service Center, community, and various user groups. The building itself presents a powerful civic face along a pedestrian corridor. The main entry, pulled back from the street, makes a deep front porch, joining the library and the service center under a large canopy. A gently curving "green" roof, planted with sedums and grasses, absorbs water, thus reducing runoff. A periscope and observation deck invite visitors to engage in the green roof?s ecology above the street. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson maximized the use of varying intensities of natural light, while metered, photovoltaic glass panels shade the center's lobby and demonstrate the effectiveness of photovoltaics in the Pacific Northwest."