Rangeview Library District’s Anythink Bennett was awarded Colorado Construction magazine’s Gold Hard Hat Award for Small Project at a reception on Friday, Oct. 2. Ozi Friedrich, designer of the project, accepted the award on behalf of Humphries Poli Architects and the district.
Fransen Pittman General Contractors constructed the 7,000 sq ft Anythink Bennett Library. The new facility is triple the size of the former library that was located on the same site. Anchoring the northeast corner of the library is a 50-seat, multi-use community room with a separate entrance that may be used when the library is closed.
Architectural treatments of Anythink Bennett include a local pine-wood ceiling to add warmth to the main browsing and reference room. A shady front porch overlooking a garden serves as the library’s main entrance. The high performance, energy efficient library incorporates a geothermal field/heat pump system, substantial natural daylighting and a photovoltaic solar array. Occupant sensors, low-flow toilets, solar-powered faucet controls, low-VOC paint and outdoor rain sensors are among the other sustainable features that save energy and reduce water consumption.
“We are so very proud of this honor from Colorado Construction,” says Rangeview Library District director Pam Sandlian Smith. “Our goal with this project was to create a focal point in the community, a library and gathering place where everyone feels welcome. The architects and designers at Humphries Poli Architects helped us achieve that. This award proves what others recognize as well – Anythink Bennett is a special place.”
The Fransen Pittman project team included Terry Hutton, LEED AP, Senior Estimator; Brian Rethmeier, LEED AP, Project Engineer; and Mark Thiesen, Superintendent.