When the City of Seguin, Texas, decided to tear down its old library and build a new one, the priority was to leverage the natural beauty of its site along the banks of Walnut Creek. In Nov. 2017, the project earned LEED® Gold certification through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
Designed by PGAL of Los Angeles and 720 design inc. of Dallas, the 43,000-square-foot new Seguin Public Library is three times the size of the original building, providing more area for books, technology and spaces to sit, read and enjoy the natural surroundings. A quiet room extends into the branches of a pecan tree letting visitors feel as if they are sitting in a transparent tree house. In addition, cantilevered decks overlook the creek and a popular walking and biking trail.
Framing these natural views and complementing the natural palette, Linetec finished Tubelite Inc.’s curtainwall and storefront aluminum framing in a dark bronze anodize. Along with the large expanses of glass and metal, the building’s exterior features local limestone and brick with exposed wood roof decking.
As a USGBC member and an environmentally responsible finisher, Linetec supports projects pursuing LEED certification and other green building guidelines. The company demonstrates its commitment to leadership in sustainability with continued improvement and investment in ongoing research, business practices and facilities, as well as eco-friendly finishing applications.
Linetec’s eco-friendly anodize process provides one the most durable finishes for architectural aluminum products. It creates a frosty matte appearance, hides small defects common in recycled aluminum, contains no VOCs and meets or exceeds all AAMA 611 specifications. When it is time for the installed architectural product to be removed, anodized aluminum is 100 percent recyclable, lending itself to post-consumer recycled content during demolition or restoration of the building.
Commercial buildings have showcased Linetec’s anodize finishes for more than 30 years and have depended on Tubelite’s 400 Series since the 1980s. Throughout the decades, the curtainwall continues to prove its aesthetic flexibility and reliable structural performance.
Representing Tubelite, Sage Architectural Products, LLC provided glazing contractor Bulverde Glass, Inc. of San Antonio with 16,300 square feet of Tubelite’s 400 Series Curtainwall and T14000 I/O storefront, plus four Wide Stile doors and frames. Todd Joubert with Sage notes, “Tubelite was selected for its service and value.”
Byrne Construction Services began construction on the new Seguin Public Library in 2014 and competed it on schedule. Tyler Messer of Bulverde Glass notes, “It came together pretty well and went up fairly easy. We’re happy and everybody else seems happy with it, too.”
The building celebrated its grand opening in September 2016. This year’s LEED Gold certification is one of many accolades the project has received. Additional awards include the TEXO Distinguished Building Award-$10 to $30 Million, the Best of Texas presented by Engineering News Record and the Project of the Year Between $10-$25 Million by the American Subcontractors Association, San Antonio Chapter.
“It’s no surprise to us that our gorgeous, one-of-a-kind Seguin Public Library is receiving these kinds of accolades. It is without a doubt a masterpiece of architecture and construction,” said Library Director Jacki Gross.
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Seguin Public Library, 313 W Nolte St. Seguin, TX 78155, http://www.seguintexas.gov/landing_library.php
Owner: City of Seguin; Seguin, Texas; http://www.seguintexas.gov
Lead architect: PGAL; Los Angeles; https://www.pgal.com
Additional architect: 720 design inc.; Dallas; http://www.720design.net
General contractor: Byrne Construction Services; San Antonio, Texas; http://www.tsbyrne.com
Glazing contractor: Bulverde Glass, Inc.; San Antonio; Texas; http://www.bulverdeglass.com
Glazing systems – manufacturer’s representative: Sage Architectural Products, LLC; Austin, Texas; http://sage-ap.com
Glazing systems – curtainwall, doors and frames manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
Glazing systems – curtainwall, doors and frames finisher: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; https://linetec.com
Photos courtesy of: Seguin Gazette
