Ottawa Public Library–Library and Archives Canada joint facility: A model of green infrastructure in the national capital

The new Ottawa Public Library (OPL)–Library and Archives Canada (LAC) joint facility will have many features that will make it a model of green infrastructure in the national capital. Thanks to additional funding from the federal government in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the building will meet the standards to be a net-zero carbon building.

Net-zero carbon buildings reduce energy consumption to a minimum through building design strategies and efficiency measures to the point where the use of non-carbon-based energy sources becomes practical.

Here are some of the features that will make the new facility a sustainable building:

• an important community living space at the heart of the national capital, surrounded by green parklands and trees with the river running nearby
• native plants
• a green roof with solar panels
• large-scale use of natural materials, including wood and stone
• more sustainable building materials, inside and out
• upgraded insulation
• triple-glazed windows
• solar panels embedded in the building’s facade
• abundant natural light inside the building
• a bird-friendly design
• an indoor green wall
• recycling and composting equipment
• connection to the federal government's heating and cooling district energy system
• access by public transit, bicycle paths and walking trails
• digitized tools and content at LAC to reduce the need for researchers to commute to Ottawa for basic reference questions