On This Date in Minnesota History: August 30

August 30, 2005 – “The Minneapolis Central Library was completed on [this date].” ¹  “The top of the building features three prodigious green roofs totaling 18,500 square feet that help the library stay cool inside. The roof serves as a huge sponge during the rainy season, when it infiltrates and cleans storm water. The roof also provides natural habitat right in the middle of downtown and reduces the dreaded heat island effect, keeping the local environment from overheating on a mid-summer day. Underfloor displacement cooling technology adds 20% running efficiency, and the entire building is 27% more energy-efficient than code.”^2
1http://www.greenroofs.com/projects/pview.php?id=232
²http://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-minneapolis-central-library-is-a-civic-lesson-on-eco-design/minneapolis-central-library-3/

Minneapolis Central Library

Minneapolis Central Library - green roof view from 2nd floor

Photos taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain August 30, 2012, as long as acknowledgement included.