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The building was conceived as a strong symmetrical box, a repository for character language texts and a sanctuary for study. The mass of the 4-story building is embedded in Berkeley’s hilly landscape and thus experienced in a dynamic way. To increase the building’s energy performance, perforated metal screens were installed behind the bronze grilles preventing 45% of direct sunlight from entering the building and favorably reducing the library’s cooling loads. Other efforts to reduce the building’s impact on the environment included the use of occupancy sensors, Bamboo flooring, native plantings in the landscape and storm water recharge basins.