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Chicago Center for Green Technology
CCGT, located west of Chicago’s Loop, acts as a model for green construction, houses green businesses and organizations, and provides a place to learn about sustainability. It is only the third building in the United States to be designed with the highest standards of green technology, LEED Platinum, though it is the first LEED Platinum building to reuse an existing structure and provide public transportation.
The building that houses CCGT was built in 1952 and was most recently owned by Sacramento Crushing, a collector of construction and demolition waste. The Chicago Department of Environment became involved when it discovered the company was violating its permit by filling its 17 acre site with illegal debris. The Campus was filled with 70 foot piles of rubble, some so dense they were sinking as deep as 15 feet into the ground. The DOE closed down the site and became responsible for cleaning it up. Local architects, led by Farr Associates, designed the facility.
45% of CCGT’s electrical needs are covered by three solar arrays located on the campus: a 28.2 kW roof array, a 10.8 kW building integrated window awning array, and a 32.4 kW solar berm. The center also decreases its need for electricity by incorporating passive solar strategies including natural lighting and a tromme wall used to heat the on-site greenhouse.
CCGT manages its water usage and runoff though its extensive green roof, four 12,000 gallon cisterns, disconnected downspouts, and bioswales and wetland. They retain over half of their rainwater onsite for watering the landscape.
Other sustainable features include the campus being heated and cooled using a ground source heat pump, use of local materials (over 40% within 300 miles), use of only non-toxic and/or low VOC products, and the use of recycled materials (over 40%).1
To learn more about sustainability at Chicago Center for Green Technology, to schedule a tour, or to attend a seminar visit the CCGT website.
1. Chicago Center for Green Technology, http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalEntityHomeAction.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@0994394207.1249327632@@@@&BV_
EngineID=cccfadehmfmhhgkcefecelldffhdfhm.0&entityName=Chicago+Center+for+Green+Technology&entityNameEnumValue=161
Photo by Whitney Parks
Photos by Whitney Parks
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