Charleston Branch – New York Public Library

As New York City’s first Net-Zero Energy, High Performance Library, the NYPL Charleston Branch sets a new benchmark for high-performance civic design. Atelier Ten led the sustainability strategy for this LEED Gold-certified, fossil-fuel-free facility, helping the project exceed the city’s ambitious environmental standards.

Located in Staten Island, a neighborhood with a rich history of brick and terra cotta manufacturing, the Charleston Branch draws inspiration from its local context. Designed as a contemporary civic hub, the building is clad in textured Roman brick that reflects the area’s industrial heritage while establishing a strong public presence.

Atelier Ten developed and evaluated a range of energy efficiency measures that reduced the building’s energy demand by over 50%. One of the main recommendations was to increase the thermal performance (R-value) of the wall and roof composition, significantly reducing heating and cooling loads. The facade is also optimized for daylight which reduces the need for electric lighting, improves comfort, and minimizes energy use.

The library’s net-zero energy performance is achieved through a high-performance envelope, all-electric systems, and on-site photovoltaics. As New York City’s first net-zero energy library, the Charleston Branch demonstrates the potential of sustainable public architecture and supports the city’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050.