Wilmette, Ill., may have joined the ranks of Chicago-area communities with new public works facilities, but it's the first village nationwide to achieve perfect or near-perfect scores in the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) green-building program.
The facility scored particularly high for water efficiency, indoor air quality, and innovative design with features that include:
Using recycled and regional materials such as wood from ash treesA metal wall system that reduces heating and cooling loads A reflective white roofA north-facing glass curtain wall system that lights the interior while minimizing heat and UV rays Parking lot bioswales that filter oils and sediments before rainwater flows into sewers. "We're very grateful to the community and administration forsupporting our efforts to set a standard with this project," says Public Works Director Donna Jakubowski. "This represents the whole community's intensified commitment to energy-efficient and environmentally-sensitive facilities."
Architect of record: Legat Architects Inc., Chicago
Design architect: A. Epstein & Sons International, Chicago