Chicago Center for Green Technology

Building Technologies Database (http://eere.buildinggreen.com/overview.cfm?projectid=97) on 2009-06-06. Please confirm that the import was successful, login, and remove this message. Help make the Green Building Brain better.**

Overview

• Location: Chicago, IL

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

• 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, v.1.0--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 $9 million in clean-up costs and another $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:	Electrical systems, Circulation, Other, Mechanical systems, Conference, Lobby/reception, Office, Manufacturing, Cafeteria, Restrooms, Classroom, Laboratory
Outdoor Spaces:	Drives/roadway, Restored landscape, Other, Parking, Wildlife habitat, Garden—productive

Keywords

Integrated team, Design charrette, Green framework, Green specifications, Transportation benefits, Brownfield redevelopment, Open space preservation, Wetlands, Indigenous vegetation, Stormwater management, Water harvesting, Efficient fixtures and appliances, Efficient irrigation, Drought-tolerant landscaping, Massing and orientation, Insulation levels, Glazing, Airtightness, Passive solar, HVAC, Lighting control and daylight harvesting, Efficient lighting, On-site renewable electricity, Adaptable design, Durability, Benign materials, Salvaged materials, Recycled materials, Local materials, Occupant recycling, Connection to outdoors, Daylighting, Ventilation effectiveness, Low-emitting materials, Indoor air quality monitoring

Team & Process

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.

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

[Doug Farr](learnmore.cfm?ProjectID=97) Farr Associates Architecture and Urban Design Architect (and landscape architect) Chicago, IL [http://www.farrside.com](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/](http://www.owpp.com/)

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

Sieben Energy Associates Lighting designer Chicago, IL [http://www.SiebenEnergy.com/](http://www.SiebenEnergy.com/)

Site Design Group, Ltd. Landscape architect [http://www.site-design.com](http://www.site-design.com)

Spectrum Engineering, Inc. Electrical engineer Chicago, IL

Spire Solar Chicago Photovoltaic array Chicago, IL [http://www.spiresolarchicago.net/](http://www.spiresolarchicago.net/)

Terra Engineering Civil engineer

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

The design team also included:

• Energy consultant
• Energy modeling

Finance & Cost

A $100 million settlement to the Department of Environment from the Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) Company's violation of their franchise agreement was used to rebuild the Center as a model environmentally responsible and energy-efficient building.

The land was given to the City of Chicago as part of a settlement when the Sacramento Crushing Company was closed for environmental violations.

• Equity: Government appropriation
• Procurement process: Design-bid-build

Cost data in U.S. dollars as of date of completion.

• Total project cost (land excluded): $14,400,000

$6 million was used to clean up the site and $3 million was used to crush remaining gravel and take it to other city sites for use in construction. The construction and renovation cost an additional $5.4 million.

Land Use & Community

The building is located within 1/2 mile of a Metra Rail station and within 1/4 mile of two bus lines. Bike storage is provided along with showers and changing facilities for bicycle commuters. Recharging stations are provided for electric vehicles in the rear parking lot. Preferred parking is provided for carpools.

The brownfield site, which had been turned into a dumping ground for construction and demolition materials, was cleaned by the city at a cost of nine million dollars. Much of the material accumulated on the site was recycled or salvaged for reuse.

• Property Evaluation

  • Investigate property for possible contaminants (e.g., toxic or hazardous wastes, dumps)

• Responsible Planning

  • Ensure that development fits within a responsible local and regional planning framework

• Support for Appropriate Transportation

  • Provide showers and changing areas for bicycle and pedestrian commuters

  • Provide storage area for bicycles
  • Provide access to public transportation
  • Provide vehicle access to support car and vanpooling
  • Provide for electric vehicle charging

• Property Selection Opportunities

  • Look for opportunities for infill development
  • Select brownfield sites for development
  • Select already-developed sites for new development

Site Description

Erosion and sedimentation control measures were required during construction to prevent topsoil from leaving the site. Light-colored paving was used along with extensive tree coverage to decrease the heat-island effect in the parking and walking areas. A green roof system on part of the building also helps to reduce heat-island effect through evapotranspiration. The parts of the roof that are neither planted nor covered with PV panels are painted white to decrease heat absorbency.

All plumbing fixtures are low-flow per the energy policy act of 1992. A wetland and bioswales slow the flow of rainwater so that many pollutants can settle out of the water before it heads into the ground or sewers. Cisterns are connected to the building downspout to catch rainwater and reduce the amount of water flowing into the sewers. The captured water will be used for irrigation. Four water-storage cisterns on the property have a combined 12,000-gallon capacity. Native plants were selected to minimize maintenance and water needs once they are established.

• Lot size: 160,000 ft2
• Building footprint: 40,000 sq ft (3,720 sq meters)

• Wetlands, Previously developed land, Brownfield site, Preexisting structure(s)

• Ecosystem Restoration

  • Replant damaged sites with native vegetation

• Runoff Reduction

  • Use planted swales instead of curbs and gutters
  • Design a green roof system

• Landscape Plantings

  • Landscape with indigenous vegetation

• Low-Water-Use Fixtures

  • Use low-flow toilets

• Managing Stormwater

  • Disconnect roof leaders and storm drains from conventional infrastructure

  • Design a constructed wetland for pollutant removal from stormwater

• Rainwater Collection

  • Collect and store rainwater for landscape irrigation

• Integration with Site Resources

  • Use light-colored pavement to reduce heat island effect

• Low-Impact Siting

  • Select building sites that make use of existing infrastructure

Energy

The building and its mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are being commissioned to ensure they are installed and functioning per the original design intentions. The building surpasses ASHRAE 90.1 by 40%, which means that the Center uses 40% less energy than a minimally code-compliant building of the same size. These energy savings are expected to save approximately $29,000 per year.

Within five years, solar energy is expected to provide 20% of building's electricity. 28 geothermal wells are drilled to 200 feet to utilize the relatively consistent ground temperature. Extensive daylighting displaces the need for some artificial lighting; a 24% savings in lighting energy is expected over standard systems. Insulated, spectrally selective, low-e glazing was used. Heat and air conditioning are located near occupants. At times of high energy demand (such as hot summer days), the building management system is programmed to prevent demand spikes from the building. It reads the load required and temporarily dims lights or offsets mechanical startups to save demand costs.

 

Materials & Resources

No CFCs are used in any building materials or systems. No HCFCs are used in any building materials. A recycling center encourages occupant participation in the Center's recycling plan. 100% of the original building's structural shell was retained in the rehabilitation. 36% of all building materials have recycled content, including: drywall, cellulose insulation, linoleum, ceiling tiles, rubber flooring, gravel, fill materials, steel, tile, MDF board, and fireproofing. Over 50% of the of the building materials (excluding mechanical and plumbing systems) were manufactured or assembled within 300 miles of the construction site. The elevator runs on canola oil instead of petrochemical-based oil; all hydraulic elevators leak a small amount, but the canola oil can enter the ground without causing environmental harm.

84% of all construction waste was diverted from the landfill.

• Green Roof Systems
• Natural Linoleum Flooring
• Non-Petroleum Flexible Pavement
• Reclaimed Lumber and Timbers

• Recycled-Content and Rapidly-Renewable Acoustical Ceiling Panels

• Recycled-Content Cellulose Insulation
• Recycled-Glass Ceramic Tiles
• Recycled-Plastic Restroom Partitions

• Zero-VOC Interior Acrylic Latex Paint

• Protection of Global Ecosystem

  • Avoid rigid or blown foam insulation made with an HCFC blowing agent

• Building Deconstruction

  • Reuse existing structure

• Recycling by Occupants

  • Specify recycling receptacles that are accessible to the occupants

• Toxic Upstream or Downstream Burdens

  • Use wood treated with less-toxic preservatives than the standard CCA or ACZA

• Post-Consumer Recycled Materials

  • Prefer insulation with high recycled content

• Pre-Consumer Recycled Materials

  • Use recycled-content rubber flooring

• Transportation of Materials

  • Prefer materials that are sourced and manufactured within the local area

Indoor Environment

All asbestos was removed from the building. Smoking is not permitted in the building. A construction indoor air quality management plan, involving protecting ducts from contamination and cleaning ducts prior to occupancy, was designed and implemented by the contractor. Low-VOC materials were used exclusively in the construction of the building.

• Outdoor Pollution Sources

  • Research previous uses of the site

• Identification of Indoor Pollutants

  • Check old vinyl flooring and pipe insulation for asbestos

• Reduction of Indoor Pollutants

  • Use only very low or no-VOC paints
  • Use only very-low-VOC carpet adhesives

• Ventilation During Construction

  • Provide temporary filters on any permanent air-handling devices used during construction

• Building Commissioning for IEQ

  • Use a comprehensive commissioning process to ensure that design intent is realized

• Facility Policies for IEQ

  • Recommend a non-smoking policy for the building

Awards

• AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects in 2003

Ratings

• U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v.1.0 in 2003;  achievement level: Platinum

  • Planning Sustainable Sites, 9 of 11 possible points

    • SS Credit 1, Landscaping for Erosion Control
    • SS Credit 2.1, Reduced Heat Islands, Implement 1 or 2 Measures
    • SS Credit 2.2, Reduced Heat Islands, Implement All 3 Measures
    • SS Credit 3, Infill Development
    • SS Credit 4, Reduce Habitat Disturbance
    • SS Credit 6, Efficient Building Location

    • SS Credit 7.1, Alternative Transit Facilities, Implement 1 or 2 Measures

    • SS Bonus Credit 1, Alternative Fueling Facilities
    • SS Bonus Credit 2, Brownfield Development

  • Improving Energy Efficiency, 9 of 11 possible points

    • EA Prerequisite 1, Building Commissioning
    • EA Prerequisite 2, Energy Efficiency
    • EA Credit 1.1a, Energy Efficiency Level 1
    • EA Credit 1.2a, Energy Efficiency, Level 2
    • EA Credit 1.3a, Energy Efficiency, Level 3
    • EA Credit 1.4a, Energy Efficiency, Level 4
    • EA Credit 1.5a, Energy Efficiency, Level 5
    • EA Credit 4.1, Renewable/Alternative Energy, 10%
    • EA Credit 4.2, Renewable/Alternative Energy, 20%
    • EA Credit 4.3, Renewable/Alternative Energy, 30%
    • EA Bonus Credit 1, Measurement and Verification

  • Conserving Materials and Resources, 8 of 12 possible points

    • MR Prerequisite 1, Elimination of CFCs
    • MR Prerequisite 2, Storage & Collection of Recyclables

    • MR Credit 1.1, Existing Building Rehab, Maintain 75% of Existing Shell

    • MR Credit 1.2, Existing Building Rehab, Maintain 100% of Existing Shell

    • MR Credit 3.1, Recycled Content, Level 1
    • MR Credit 4.1, Construction Waste Management, Level 1
    • MR Credit 4.2, Construction Waste Management, Level 2
    • MR Credit 5, Local Materials

    • MR Credit 6.1, Elimination of CFCs & Halons, Mechanical Equipment

    • MR Credit 7, Occupant Recycling

  • Enhancing Indoor Environmental Quality, 5 of 7 possible points

    • IEQ Prerequisite 1, Elimination and Control of Asbestos
    • IEQ Prerequisite 2, Indoor Air Quality
    • IEQ Prerequisite 3, Smoking Ban
    • IEQ Prerequisite 4, Thermal Comfort
    • IEQ Credit 1.1, IAQ Management Plan, Level 1
    • IEQ Credit 2.1, Low VOC Materials, Comply with 1 or 2 Items
    • IEQ Credit 2.2, Low VOC Materials, Comply with All 3 Items
    • IEQ Credit 4, Chemical Storage Areas
    • IEQ Credit 5, Architectural Entryways

  • Safeguarding Water, 5 of 8 possible points

    • WE Prerequisite 1, Water Conservation
    • WE Prerequisite 2, Elimination of Lead
    • WE Credit 2, Water Recovery System
    • WE Credit 3, Water-Conserving Cooling Towers
    • WE Credit 4, Water-Efficient Landscaping
    • WE Credit 5, Surface Runoff Filtration
    • WE Bonus Credit 2, Measurement and Verification

  • Improving the Design/Build Process, 1 of 1 possible points

    • ID Bonus Credit 1, LEED® Accredited Professional

  Chicago Center for Green Technology achieved an additional "Innovation in Design" credit for "Reduction in Pollution".

Lessons Learned

We learned a great deal on Chicago Center, our first large project. Getting homework done up-front is basic for any project, but critical in the green-building arena. Choose the right contractor. The contracting firm on this project was fired due to a number of reasons that made it difficult to get a quality product of any kind, let alone an ambitious sustainable design.

Learn More

• Magazines

  • Green Technology Center to Open: Collaborations Build Environmental "Brightfield" on Chicago's Industrial West Side by Middendorf, Bobbye
    Publication: Conscious Choice (April 2002) http://www.consciouschoice.com/issues/cc1504/greentechnologyctr1504.html

• Web sites

  • Chicago Center for Green Technology
    Publication: Green Building Performance Data
    This site offers basic information and performance data for the building. The performance data includes a graphical representation of monthly energy use, the carbon footprint, and the transportation energy intensity.

• Others

  • Newspaper article: Emerald City: Mayor's new environment-friendly building aims to make Chicago the envy of all green towns by Kamin, Blair
    Publication: Chicago Tribune (May 6, 2002)
    This article was published by the Chicago Tribune in 2002. It is available for purchase online.

*Primary Contact* Doug Farr Farr Associates Architecture and Urban Design Architect (and landscape architect) Monadnock Building 53 West Jackson, Suite 1661 Chicago, IL  60604 312-408-1661 [http://www.farrside.com](http://www.farrside.com)