Going, Going, Green

The year in architecture offered grand facades, creative collaborations, and calamities overcome and viewed as opportunities. This article features 168 public building projects and 21 academic facilities completed between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007 that provide a glimpse of the future. Many libraries reported here achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, while still others incorporated sustainable design principles into their projects. Daylighting ("controlled admission of natural light through windows to reduce or eliminate electric lighting"), air quality upgrades, renewable resources, water reuse principles, low-voltage lighting fixtures, energy efficiency, and native plants are just some of the checklist items for an ecofriendly facility. A listing of the 168 public library projects and 21 academic buildings is included.