spaces/learn
Enteros Design
aBOVE: The Petersburg Library (seen here in a cross section) is an important project in the city’s historical context.
Entzminger’s work on the Petersburg Library has made him a central public figure in the area; community meetings, focus groups, and public presentations were held in order to determine exactly what types of spaces and programs would be required of the facility. 12,000-square-foot building designed to capture the county’s move from a rural agricultural economy to a technological, industrial one. Both of these projects are capitalizing on green technology with guidance from Entzminger and his team. Taking each site’s rich history into account while also implementing modern-day functionality and incorporating commonsense sustainable features was a bit of a challenge—but one that Entzminger was up for. “We try to design architecture that is compatible with its historic context, but it is still expressive of its time and function,” Entzminger says. “The challenge is determining what features are most appropriate for the project. The budget is always an issue, but educating the public on the long-term value of energy efficiency and sustainability has also been a challenge. The good news is that more clients are aware of and expectant of green design.” Entzminger’s work on the Petersburg Library has made him a central public figure in the area; community meetings, focus groups, and public presentations were held in order to determine exactly what types of spaces and programs would be required of the facility. Because the library is located on an urban industrial site with soil contamination, it qualified as a brownfield redevelopment.
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According to the Environmental Protection Agency, reinvesting in these properties protects the environment, reduces blight, and takes development pressures off greenspaces and working lands. Entzminger also focused heavily on energy efficiency and water conservation by implementing plans for energy-recovery systems, waterless urinals, and dual-flush toilets, all of which helped in achieving LEED credits. The Prince George County Library focuses heavily on the use of natural lighting, like many of Enteros’ projects. Entzminger achieved optimal use of natural light by incorporating a lighting-control system and a continuous clerestory window that wraps around the length of the facility. Also, as with all of the firm’s projects, The Prince George Library incorporates rapidly renewable, recycled, and lowVOC materials wherever possible. Many small and large firms alike have yet to incorporate sustainability into their designs—despite how good it is for the environment and for the bottom line of each business. Such is not the case at Enteros, where sustainable planning has been just as much at the firm’s philosophical core as Entzminger’s fundamental elements of design. “We have always been focused on good design, which by definition incorporates sustainable principals,” he says. “If we can take simple steps that protect our global environment and improve the quality of the experience in the built environment, then we are fulfilling our obligations as good architects and good human beings.” gb&d
B U I L D I N G H I S T O R Y
Daniel & Company, Inc. congratulates Enteros Design on its accomplishments in Green Building & Design and is pleased to participate as General Contractor on these well designed Projects.
1800 Roseneath Road Richmond, VA 23230
Tel: 804-213-0400 Fax: 804-213-0401
E-mail: dci@danielco.net Website: www.danielco.net
gbdmagazine.com
7/15/11 10:05 AM