News

Rangeview Library District’s Anythink Brighton facility has become the first carbon-positive library in the nation. To become carbon positive a facility must offset 16 percent more carbon than it is using. Anythink Brighton achieved this efficiency in part from a 108kW photovoltaic system, geothermal heating and cooling, sustainable building features, and the purchase of carbon credits. The district’s total energy savings will approach $30,000 annually.

Fransen Pittman General Contractors completed construction of the facility in August 2009. The project team included Humphries Poli Architects, Wember Inc. and Ambient Energy.

Anythink Brighton is located in historic downtown and part of the new Brighton Cultural Center. The single-story, metal framed facility has separate areas for adults, teens and children. The library features shelving created by local craftsmen, three study rooms, a comfortable reading area next to a fireplace, a cyber café, a meeting room with seating for 122, and a computer lab with 18 computers. Initial plans had the project pursuing LEED Silver certification; however, the creative and collaborative work between team members enabled the building to achieve LEED Gold certification.

“What a true honor and joy it was to build Anythink Brighton, the country’s first carbon positive library,” said Jim Andrews, Fransen Pittman Vice President.

“ Fransen Pittman was grateful to be a part of the project and would jump at the chance to team again with Anythink and its talented project partners. This library is a gift to the residents of Brighton and serves as an outstanding example of forward thinking, environmentally friendly library design and construction.”

The Fransen Pittman project team included Terry Hutton, LEED AP, Senior Estimator; Brian Rethmeier, LEED AP, Project Engineer; and Steve Martinson, Superintendent.