Woburn Public Library Achieves LEED Gold Certification

Another testament to CBT’s commitment to sustainable design: we’re proud to announce that the Woburn Public Library has achieved LEED Gold Certification! 

The certification follows CBT’s recent recognition by ARCHITECT magazine as one of the country’s most sustainable design firms, named 34th in the program’s annual nationwide ranking. With over 30% of CBT design staff holding certifications from internationally accredited green design programs – including LEED, Passive House, WELL, and Fitwel – sustainable and resilient design is central to all of our work. 

Embracing a holistic spirit of conservation, the design of the Woburn Public Library addition considers thoughtful strategies to both mitigate environmental impact and preserve the historical and cultural integrity of the original building. Originally designed by H. H. Richardson in 1876, the library had outgrown its space and was in need of an expansion to accommodate its evolving programs and community. The simple and elegant 30,500-square-foot addition – defined by a light-filled glass connector and tactful integration of Richardson’s original materials – augments, rather than competes with, the existing structure. 

The addition was designed for maximum building efficiency. It significantly reduces stormwater runoff and preserves 70% of the site as open space. Reuse of 88% of existing structural elements and use of recycled and local materials demonstrate the design team’s environmentally-conscious approach from inception to project completion. In addition to green programming, optimized water and energy usage enhance the building’s performance and reduce overall environmental impact.