Out of more than 450 project entries, the Seattle Public Library Ballard branch was one of 11 winners nationwide to receive the American Institute of Architects Honor Award (AIA) that recognizes design excellence. AIA also selected the building as one of 10 examples of sustainable architecture in the nation at a recent celebration that coincided with its one-year anniversary.

"This project is getting this award for sustainable design, saving energy and doing the right thing as far as conserving energy," said the institutes' awards chair Robert Hull.

Hull told the crowd of community members and city officials that gathered in the main room of the library that the Honor recognition was "a very hard award to get and a very prominent award."

City Librarian Deborah Jacobs announced that the Ballard library was now the busiest of all 23 branches. She also applauded the community for its effort and involvement during the planning and design process.

"There's nobody like the Ballard community," said Jacobs. For every one meeting I went to in another community, I would go to two in Ballard.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels spoke at the event and applauded the community's efforts in the design of the library.

"Ballard now has a civic heart," said Nickels. "But it wouldn't be possible without the community where it sits. This library is a place to be a community and for reflection."

The branch and the adjoining Ballard Neighborhood Service Center opened on May 14, 2005 after years of community planning. The new Ballard library was built after Seattle voters approved $196.4 million Libraries for All bond measure in 1998 to upgrade Seattle Public Libraries with new buildings, technology, and books. So far 17 Seattle libraries have been rebuilt or improved and 10 more will open in the next two years.

Early on, community meetings indicated a desire for an environmentally friendly design as well as to reflect Ballard culture and history, said David Kunselman, capital project manager for Libraries for All.

"The community expressed that they wanted to lightly reflect Ballard's Scandinavian heritage, but they also wanted to recognize that the community was changing to a younger, more diverse population," he said.

The large wood roof supported by thin columns reflects modern Scandinavian and European architecture and the green roof is also prevalent in Scandinavia, said Kunselman.

The award-winning building was designed by Seattle architects Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. The libraries sweeping green roof fills the interior with natural light. Photovoltaic roof panels collect solar energy and redistribute it into the city power system while providing renewable energy for the library and its neighbors. The roof is planted with low-water use plants and retains and filters storm water runoff. The plant and soil cover protect the roof from sunlight damage.

Inside of the 15,000 square-foot building, the furniture is made of plywood and assembled using slots and tabs so there is no need for nails or screws. LED panels hang from the ceiling to reflect weather data from the roof in an abstract way. As the weather changes so do the patterns of motions on the displays.

Most of the building was made from recycled materials, such as wood steel, glass, aluminum and concrete forms made of recycled milk cartons. Unpainted laminate wood was used instead of heavy timber to cut back on tree harvesting. Steel chairs are grouped together outside on the community porch to invite conversations.

"The umbrella roof shows a community underneath it and it represents everything good about water runoff," said Hull.

The library is special to many Ballardites because it was the first major building designed and built under the neighborhood's civic center plan. Developed through neighborhood planning, the project is meant to transform a six-block area in the heart of Ballard around a new library, the Ballard Commons Park and retail and residential uses to create a civic spirit in Ballard.

Branch manager Sibyl de Haan described the library as "vibrant, open (and) full of light and life." Sustainable building and a place to connect with neighbors were very important aspects to the community when planning the design, she said.

"(The library) is an anchor," de Haan said. "People wanted something that represents the heart of the community. The design reflects that. This is your living room."