The renovation of the Los Angeles Vocational and Technical College (LATTC) library was a compulsory measure. The building, built in 1977, has ceased to comply with modern operating standards, in addition, its function has changed significantly over thirty years. After the renovation, the nondescript two-story building with a reading room and book depository turned into a spacious multimedia information center, which became the architectural dominant of the campus.
Michael Bulander is a LEED Certified Architect and LEED Certified Architect for Harley Ellis Devereaux, California. However, in addition to ensuring the environmental sustainability of the building, it was necessary to solve several more important tasks: add usable space, enhance seismic safety and completely change the archaic appearance of the building.
In the first stage, the building of the 1970s was dismantled to the frame and the supporting structure of the diaphragm of rigidity was added. The southern facade of the lower tier was made of glass; the second floor was significantly changed: the area was increased, some of the concrete walls were replaced with panoramic windows, partitions were removed and the space was turned into an open space. The room has become brighter, the usable area has increased from 7600 to 9300 m2.
The library is located inside the student campus, so in fact it has no rear facade. Not the most advantageous location of the object prompted the architects to "wrap" the whole building with a gray-blue metal "tape". Its protruding sharp corners highlight the entrance areas and at the same time serve as awnings from the sun. The same geometry is reflected on the ground by lawn curbs.
The material selected was partially perforated zinc-titanium panels from RHEINZINK. They are made from an alloy in which thousandths of a percent of copper and titanium are added to 99.995% zinc. Copper gives the material plasticity, titanium - strength, and thanks to zinc, the structures are very light: with an estimated weight of 6-10 kilograms per m22… The beautiful and durable shell of the new multimedia center required 52 tons of material with a total area of 4640 m2… The thickness of the panels is 1.2 mm.
Outdoors, zinc-titanium panels develop a noble patina over time. Such a natural oxide-carbonate film serves as a natural protection of the metal against corrosion. In addition, zinc-titanium has a number of other unique qualities, thanks to which it is used in facilities certified according to international "green" standards: it is 100% recyclable, environmentally friendly, protects the building from electrosmog and serves as a natural lightning rod. The material fully meets the requirements of "sustainable" construction: its durability is one hundred years or more, and throughout the entire operational period, the material does not require maintenance or repair.
Perforated panels increase the flow of sunlight and reduce the need for artificial lighting, thus also improving the building's energy efficiency. Panoramic glazing of the building along the perimeter, skylights and reflective pipes serve the same purpose. The building is equipped with a photovoltaic power supply system. Materials with a low VOC content were selected for the finishing, which has a beneficial effect on indoor air quality.
The renewed library building of the vocational and technical college not only became modern and easy to use, but also received a "gold" LEED certificate.
