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The new Minneapolis Central Library is a vital civic landmark and cultural center for downtown Minneapolis. The highly sustainable design, which arose from a collaborative, public process, reinvigorates the idea of the grand urban library for new generations. With no interior load-bearing walls, the library will accommodate changes in technology and use of space. The roof is planted with drought-resistant ground cover, creating an 18,500-square-foot roof garden that slows storm water runoff and keeps the building cool. An under-floor ventilation system reduces cooling costs by 20 percent, and copious daylight and energy-efficient light fixtures help the building exceed Minnesota’s energy code requirements by 27 percent.