Overview

 Location: Chicago, IL

 Building type(s): Commercial office, Industrial, Assembly, Other

 Renovation of a 1952 building

 40,000 sq. feet (3,720 sq. meters)

 Project scope: 2-story building

 Urban setting

 Completed January 2003

 Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v1.0--Level: Platinum

Designed by Chicago-based Farr Associates Architecture and Urban Design, the building uses solar and geothermal energy, a rooftop garden, and a natural habitat to filter storm water. The city invested [SIHO]9 million in clean-up costs and another [SIHO]5.4 million toward construction and renovation. The 1952 building is surrounded by a 17-acre site that was formerly the Sacramento Crushing Corporation, a construction materials recycler. The company was closed in 1996 after 600,000 cubic yards of waste were discovered on the site. The money for the Chicago Center for Green Technology came from a settlement with the Commonwealth Edison Company.

 Environmental Aspects

 Environmental features of the building include: solar panels, rainwater collection for irrigation, recycled building materials, smart lighting, a green roof, and a geothermal exchange system. The building's tenants also reflect an environmental ethic; Spire Corporation (a solar panel production company), GreenCorps Chicago (a community gardening and job-training program), and a Chicago Department of Environment satellite office are housed here.

 The Center achieved a U.S. Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum rating. LEED addresses environmental construction and operation through five categories: site design, energy efficiency, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and water efficiency.

 Owner & Occupancy

 Owned by Chicago Department of Environment, Local government

 Occupants: Corporation, for-profit

 Typically occupied by 35 people, 50 hours per person per week; and 100 visitors per week, 2 hours per visitor per week

 Spire Solar Corp, GreenCorps Chicago (community gardening and job skills program), City Department of Environment satellite office, and others will be housed in the building.

 Building Programs

 Indoor Spaces:  Cafeteria, Circulation, Classroom, Conference, Electrical systems, Laboratory, Lobby/reception, Manufacturing, Mechanical systems, Office, Restrooms, Other

 Outdoor Spaces:  Drives/roadway, Garden—productive, Parking, Wildlife habitat, Restored landscape, Other

Team & Process

Design

Once the U.S. Green Building Council introduced their LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Version 1.0 Rating System in 1999, the design team aimed for the top rating of Platinum.

The architects, Farr Associates, held an integrated design workshop after the design team members had been established to brainstorm on energy and materials efficiency in the project. The LEED system was used as a guide during this workshop.

Primary Design Team Members

Michael Roy Iverson
Waste management consultant (Specs for C&D, waste management)

Doug Farr
Farr Associates Architecture and Urban Design
Architect (and landscape architect)
Chicago, IL

http://www.farrside.com

Carol McLaughlin
Farr Associates Architecture and Urban Design
Architect (Project architect)
Chicago, IL

IBC Engineering Services
Mechanical and plumbing engineer

OWP&P Architects
IEQ consultant
http://www.owpp.com/

Prisco, Serena, Sturm Architects
Energy modeling
Northbrook, IL
http://www.pssarchitects.com/

Sieben Energy Associates
Lighting designer
Chicago, IL

www.SiebenEnergy.com

Site Design Group
Landscape architect

Spectrum Engineering, Inc.
Electrical engineer
Chicago, IL

Spire Solar Chicago
Photovoltaic array
Chicago, IL
http://www.spiresolarchicago.net/

Terra Engineering
Civil engineer

Tylk Gustafson Reckers Wilson and Andrews, LLC
Structural engineer
Chicago, IL
http://www.tgrwa.com/

The design team also included:

Energy consultant

Energy modeling