Charleston Branch – New York Public Library

The Charleston Branch of the New York Public Library exceeds the cities sustainability standards, as the first Net Zero Energy, High Performance Library, achieving LEED Gold, and operating through and operating with an all-electric non-fossil fuel energy source.

Located in Staten Island—a neighborhood historically rooted in brick and terra cotta manufacturing—the New York Public Library’s Charleston Branch draws from the area’s cultural heritage. Designed as a modern civic anchor, the building is clad in textured Roman brick. Atelier Ten studied various energy efficiency measures to reduce energy by over 50%. One of the main recommendations was to increase the R value of the wall and roof composition. This design move reduced the heating and cooling leads in addition to careful daylighting.

Atelier Ten supported the Charleston Branch to achieve the status of first net-zero energy library in New York City, a benchmark for public high-performance design. The building’s energy strategy includes a high-performance envelope, all-electric systems, and on-site photovoltaics—aligned with the New York City’s 80×50 goals to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. This project demonstrates how thoughtful design and technical performance can intersect to create inclusive, low-impact civic infrastructure.