Analytical Essay : Kathleen Clay Edwards Library

The Kathleen Clay Edwards Library opened on September 10, 2004. The library is named after Kathleen Clay Bryan Edwards,devoted philanthropist who donated $2.5 million to Piedmont land Conservancy to protect Price Park. This land was previously owned by Jefferson pilot and was the site for the company clubhouse. Edward's donation was in honor of her grandparents Julian and Ethel Clay Price, founders of Pilot Life Insurance. Piedmont Land Conservancy holds permanent easement rights on the park to ensure that the land is always used as a passive park. The Greensboro Parks and Recreation Deptment oversees the maintenace of Price Park where the library is located. (www. Greensboro Libraries.com)

The grand opening of the library on September 2004 initiated the environmental focus of the branch. The event included a poetry reading from environmentalist and theologian Thomas Berry and included hands on environmental "Discovery Day" sponsored by the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society in collaboration with the city's park and recreation department and the Piedmont Land Conservancy.

The Kathleen Clay Edwards Library is located on a 98 acre Price Park which includes a bird and butterfly meadow, and a reading garden, walking trails, ponds, and wetlands. The Library has an extensive collection of nature gardening and environmental resources for children and adults. Bird and butterfly meadow is 2.5 acres of sloping hillside. Price Park is dedicated to Piedmont Land Conservancy.

Greensboro Parks and Recreation, Stormwater management and Piedmont Land Conservancy collaborated to use material called Grass Pave, an interlocking frid filled with gravel and soil and grass grown into it to create a surface that allows you to park, drive, walk on grass surface. It is made from recycled plastic and performs the function of asphalt or concrete, but with the aesthetics of a lawn while enhancing the environment. (www. Grasspave.com) This surface will reduce untreated rainwater runoff from flowing directly into the nearby creek.b This creek was previously eroded but with the help of the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement,and the City of Greensboro buffer plants have been planted and reconstruction to the stream for a more stable condition.

This Library was built by Teague, Freyaldenhoven and Freyaldenhoven architects and planners of Greensboro, N.C. This firm ensured that the construction of the library was environmentally conscious and minimized impart on the park. A large red oak that was removed as part of the construction was used for furniture inside the library. The Library features some green building features, natural cork flooring, carpet tiles made from recycled materials and ply bent wood chairs which use the most sustainable process of furniture making. This firm focuses on classrooms, clubhouses, colleges and Universities, fire service facilities, public schools, medical offices, Nursing homes, facilities and warehouse/distribution centers.

The Green center features native landscaping, recycled building materials, recycling programs, water efficient landscaping, energy efficient lighting, and cork flooring. (Office of Environmental Education). ( Archiplanet.org)

For more information I am looking at Greensboro City Government site, there isn't an awful lot of information on this type of Library made in the US. I believe that Greenboro NC is the first of it's kind and Elon University is in the process of following this type of building and environmental library on there grounds.

The one Architectural feature that this library has is a Cupola a domelike structure polygonal base dome with lights all around it in the center of the reading room area. This is simular to the domes of ancient Roman temples. The windows are perforated to give a illuminating effect to the space below. This is simular to the crown on the State Capital Dome in Washington DC. Other examples are the Pantaneon J. G. Sofflot, Paris France. (www. Leo Masuda's architectonic Research Site.

List of Research Web Sites for this project:
EPA Environmental library, National Library for the Environment, www.Earth Portal, www.Eco Systems, The Slatin Report: Real Estate Intelligence, Renzo Piano, Gold Star for Leed Platimun Museum. Cupola's Hot Links to Architectural Design.
Great Buildings on Line, Archiplanet, Buildings and structure Galleries.
Articles: " Green House" New York Post . www. NYPOST.COM, ECO Building, www. Variety.com :A Sustainable Life" www. ruthlandherald.com