One of Norfolk State University’s largest new building projects, its132,000-square foot Lyman Beecher Brooks Library, promises to be a healthier and more comfortable place to study, learn and meet, all thanks to a green-centric building conversion plan that the Norfolk, Va.-based college recently executed.

The college library recently recently migrated to low-emissivity glazing; ample daylight to reduce dependence on electric lighting; carbon dioxide sensors to assist in providing adequate ventilation; pervious pavers to decrease the quantity of storm runoff from the site; reflective standing-seam metal roofing to prevent the “Heat Island Effect” and reduce building cooling loads; and dual-flush toilets, 0.125 gallon-per-flush urinals, and 0.5 gallon-per-minute lavatories, which contribute to a water use reduction of more than 50 percent.

Additionally, a spray foam insulation application was also part of the ambitious demonstration of a green conversions. The insulation, InsulBloc, is manufactured by NCFI Polyurethanes.