Ballard is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Seattle right now but its roots come from the stoic Scandinavian and maritime tradition. Luckily the green roofed Ballard Library bridges these two aspects in a beautiful light capturing design. The hero of the story is a huge saddle roof that takes on the quality of a hill. The green roof sweeps over the building and extends around the library perimeters to provide shelter from the weather. Sunlight is harvested to flood the interior and feed the solar electric panels that line the roof.
A prominent feature of Northwestern architecture is exposed heavy glue-lams or wooden beams supporting and shaping the roof and this project by Architects Bohlin Cywinski Jackson does not disappoint with its use of those architectural details. Its sweeping profile adds a gentle green character to the neighborhood. The columns and purloins feel a bit like a forest. The roof consists of 18,000 low water plantings which library patrons can check out up close through a rooftop “periscope” near the checkout desk. The green roof absorbs a tremendous amount of storm water in the rainy city, reducing stress on the city’s drains. The roof also helps maintain the temperature inside as well as adding some biodiversity to the neighborhood.
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