Mount Vernon Library Commons Built Sustainably

The Mount Vernon Library Commons is the first public building in the state of Washington to have Passive House certification. Passive House is the highest standard of energy efficiency in commercial and residential buildings worldwide. It has significant CO2 emissions reduction compared to traditional building, improved insulation to reduce energy use, improved sound transmission, and provides consistent indoor temperatures year-round. 

Energy Use Intensity (EUI)

• Former Mount Vernon City Library: 66 EUI
  
• Current Washington State Energy Code: 47 EUI
  
• New  Mount Vernon Library Commons: 12 EUI

Sustainable Design Elements

The City of Mount Vernon leads in sustainable building all through the new Mount Vernon Library Commons project. The added costs (7% increase to total building costs) will be neutralized within the first 10 years of operation. 

The top sustainable elements of the building:

• ​Low carbon concrete mix
• Solar panels
• Envelope design
• Green interior materials (low VOC materials)
• Low water use
• Indoor air quality
  
  

Environmental Impact: Category 3 Building - Resilient structure 

• Earthquake proof 
• Emergency shelter: 1,000 people for disaster
• Place of refuge from heat, freezing temperatures, and smoke 

Contact Library Director, Isaac Huffman, for more information about the sustainability of the new Mount Vernon Library Commons.