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PLOVER CONVERSION, SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE

Santa Rosa, CA | Complete

The Plover Library on the main campus of Santa Rosa Junior College was a bunker-like building from the early 1970’s with few windows and designed with infrastructure that predated the computer era. Adapting this high bay building was a daunting challenge. The building was repurposed as a student services mall using the former main reading room as a one-stop center for Records, Registration, Financial-aid and Re-entry Programs.

Numerous windows were added to give light and views to the occupants. A hidden system of lighting fixtures bathes the central hall in a pleasant wash of indirect light. The prior air conditioning system functioned poorly, unable to effectively push the air from the high ceilings down to occupant level. A raised plenum floor system now brings low velocity air in at occupant level, creating a comfortable environment for the users. Driven by an Indirect-Direct Evaporative cooling system, the HVAC system is highly efficient, rarely if ever using the backup chiller. One hundred percent outside air and the natural convective nature of the airflow provides a much healthier environment for working and studying in the converted Plover Library.