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Nov. 5, 2008
Vol. 109, No. 4
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The new Lewis Library
In response to: The Gehry that landed on Ivy Lane
Published on November 5, 2008
The Oct. 8 issue of PAW has a beautiful photo of the new Frank Gehry-designed Lewis Library on the front cover. The article within the magazine has more photos and descriptions of this building, as well as people’s reactions to it. There is no mention of its energy efficiency, whether it is a “green building,” or anything else relating to its environmental impact.
In the same issue a Notebook article describes plans for the new 130,000-square-foot arts complex: “With heating and cooling provided by geothermal wells, storm water collected into the reflecting pool, and a vegetation-covered roof, the new structure would be the ‘the most green building on Princeton’s campus.’” This arts complex is clearly intended to have a low environmental impact, require low energy use for heating and cooling, and be a building that is less costly for the University to use.
When I look at the photos of the Lewis Library, with the huge windows jutting at different angles and directions, plus the randomly angled stainless steel roofs, I am left wondering whether energy use and environmental impact were of any concern at all to Mr. Gehry when he designed this unique building. Certainly, it does not look like an energy-efficient building. With regard to energy use, is this a building that is to buildings what a Hummer automobile is to automobiles?
Moreover, we are left wondering what the strategy of the University is with regard to new buildings and their design, energy use, and environmental impact. Is there any underlying strategy at all? Reading these two articles, within a single issue of PAW, leaves one to wonder.
(Editor’s note: According to University spokeswoman Cass Cliatt ’96, the Lewis Library was in the design phase well before the University established its construction guidelines calling for LEED certification in 2005–06. She said the air-conditioning system should be “reasonably efficient” and that minimizing south-facing glass means less heat transfer from the sun in the summer than might be expected for a building composed largely of glass.)
Gordon H. Hart '70
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In the same issue a Notebook article describes plans for the new 130,000-square-foot arts complex: “With heating and cooling provided by geothermal wells, storm water collected into the reflecting pool, and a vegetation-covered roof, the new structure would be the ‘the most green building on Princeton’s campus.’” This arts complex is clearly intended to have a low environmental impact, require low energy use for heating and cooling, and be a building that is less costly for the University to use.
When I look at the photos of the Lewis Library, with the huge windows jutting at different angles and directions, plus the randomly angled stainless steel roofs, I am left wondering whether energy use and environmental impact were of any concern at all to Mr. Gehry when he designed this unique building. Certainly, it does not look like an energy-efficient building. With regard to energy use, is this a building that is to buildings what a Hummer automobile is to automobiles?
Moreover, we are left wondering what the strategy of the University is with regard to new buildings and their design, energy use, and environmental impact. Is there any underlying strategy at all? Reading these two articles, within a single issue of PAW, leaves one to wonder.
(Editor’s note: According to University spokeswoman Cass Cliatt ’96, the Lewis Library was in the design phase well before the University established its construction guidelines calling for LEED certification in 2005–06. She said the air-conditioning system should be “reasonably efficient” and that minimizing south-facing glass means less heat transfer from the sun in the summer than might be expected for a building composed largely of glass.)
Gordon H. Hart '70
Shrewsbury, Mass.
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The new Lewis Library
CURRENT ISSUE: Nov. 5, 2008
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