Chicago Center for Green Technology is a rehabilitated building in 2002. It's a national model for sustainable design and technology. Promoted as an educational resource, training, research and demonstration such as a resource network.
The green center is open to public and accessible to everyone interested in sustainability, green technology
and green buildings. It provides Knowledge, books, a library, web resources and samples of materials more friendly with environment.
All the building is an example of what the word sustainability mean:
-The paved surfaces in the street and parking lots and rooftops prevent the rain water being absorbed into the ground going to a sewer system.The rain water polluted with pesticides, detergents or fuels is carried through the sewers to the water treatment system and them released into the rivers.
-The rain cisterns takes all the rainwater and it's used in watering the plants. So they can reduce the cost of the water in the building and the pollution at the same time.
- Bios-wales are ditches with plants. They direct water from the parking lot into the wetland. At the same time the plants in the bios-wales absorb and filter the water.
- Retention pond and native plants. The excess rainwater not stored in the cisterns or absorbed by plants or the roof goes through the landscape to a pond. Native plants retain the humidity due to their deep root system, require less maintenance, are more tolerant that gardens grass and filters the water. This pond stored the water and it's released as it is needed providing the humidity and support to the wildlife.
-The Brick house is a model of sustainability. Made of wood, with small and large windows and solar panels in the roof. The cost is as less expensive as possible.
- The solar panels are in three different locations: in the roof, over the windows and at a ground level. They convert the sun's light into electricity for the building ( 25 %). It reduces the pollution using less electricity generated by coal burning in power plants.
- The Eco-roof also stored with natural grass plants. They can be installed in walls, at the ground level or in the roof. They retain more humidity and store the water. Providing isolation to the building.
For further information
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/doe/provdrs/ccgt.h
It's a must see.
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