CLIENT: South Whittier Public Library

CHALLENGE: Create a vibrant safe space for the community by replacing the old, outdated library while integrating energy-efficient natural lighting, targeting a platinum LEED rating

RESULTS: Daylighting incorporated throughout the library; minimal electric lighting needed during the day - The project received LEED Platinum certification, which makes it the third of only three LA County Library LEED Platinum buildings

PRODUCT: Wall mounted diffusers, 160DS, 290DS, 750DS-O, 750DS-C

SOLATUBE DISTRIBUTOR/INSTALLER: Sold direct manufacturer direct - installed by Cal City Construction

ARCHITECT: emar Studio for Public Architecture

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BACKGROUND: The South Whittier Public Library is located in South Whittier, California. The original public library, which opened in October 1988, had become too small for the growing community, so the Count dedicated the funds for a replacement facility over twice the size of the original. 

CHALLENGE: The County of Los Angeles Public Library is committed to energy-efficient spaces and environments, so the design team prioritized the incorporation of natural light, as it aimed for the highest level of LEED Certification.

“South Whittier Public Library is targeting LEED Platinum, so daylighting and daylight harvesting was a major part of the design strategy and Solatube played a critical role in that,” said Erik Mar, Principal of emar Studio. 

SOLUTION: The public library is the third of only three LA County Library LEED Platinum buildings. The South Whittier Library was able to reduce building lighting electricity consumption by 38% through the use of Solatubes, daylighting strategies and daylighting controls.

The project used 64 Solatube Tubular Daylighting Systems. 

RESULTS: “As you can see from the photos Solatube daylighting systems are a beautiful and very opportune way to allow natural light into the building,” said Vache Keledjian, Capital Project Manager for LA County Libraries. “They help us save energy and in the long run more people feel comfortable when they get natural light coming in as opposed to artificial light. It’s a win, win situation and we are very proud and fortunate to be using the Solatube systems here.”

“To utilize fresh natural light just opens everything up,” said Don Knabe, former Los Angeles County Supervisor. “It’s fresh, it’s alive, it smells good, it makes you feel good, it’s clean and it’s beautiful.”

Residents of South Whittier now have a beautiful, up-to-date library, flooded with daylight.