Golden moment for Topanga Library

The Topanga Library is spinning green into gold with its prestigious new environmental designation.

Check this out: The new Topanga Library has earned LEED Gold certification for its environmentally-friendly construction and energy-saving features.

The LEED certification, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a sought-after designation awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council to acknowledge environmentally sound building practices and the creation of sustainable structures.

In the case of the Topanga Library, features such as a heat-minimizing roof and a recycled water irrigation system are built into the design. Trees cut down during construction were milled into furniture now being used by library patrons.

In addition, 35% of the energy being used in the building falls into the green, non-carbon based category, said David Howard of county’s Department of Public Works, which managed the project.

The library was constructed with the aim of achieving LEED Silver status; winning the gold, as any Olympian will tell you, has an even sweeter ring to it.

“We are so absolutely thrilled,” said Stacy Sledge, president of the Topanga Town Council, who predicted the designation could help turn Topanga into a “real eco-city.”

“This is a wonderful, wonderful acknowledgement to the library and to the Topanga community,” she said. “I have goose bumps.”

Trees removed as part of the library project have been recycled as furniture.

Posted 7/26/12