Center for Neighborhood Technology, Chicago, Illinois, US
What is the LEED Certification?
Designed by architect Jonathan Boyer, the Center for Neighborhood Technology in Chicago was built in 1987. Renovation works started in 2000 and were completed in 2004. In 2005, the complex was awarded LEED Platinum Certification. The building is an example of sustainability, resource-efficiency and environmental friendliness, and promotes public health improvement via environmental strategies. The main building materials used in its construction are wood and brick. The "green" renovation of 1390 sq meters building was cost $1,2 million. The Center was built by Phoenix Builders.
The roof of the building absorbs heat and cools it in summer. Water consumption is reduced by 30%, thanks to water-saving mechanisms, namely low-flow fixtures in bathrooms and toilets. The thermal ice-storage system provides the cooling of the building. Eqipped with a water tank, the system makes sure that water either turns into ice or melts, depending on the temperature. The system not only solves the problem of ventilation in the building, but also allows to reduce energy consumption by 50%. The humidity level, carbon-dioxide emissions, as well as temperature and cooling are constantly controlled and monitored.
By Astghik Atabekyan, www.biulding.am