Budlong Woods Library - Chicago, Illinois

The Budlong Woods LEED and Green Building Concepts displays are part of the City of Chicago's initiative to educate its residents its green building program. This library was designed as a prototype building and subsequently adapted to achieve a LEED rating by becoming more sustainable and energy efficient.

This building uses twenty percent less energy than required by the Chicago Energy Code. Energy savings are achieved by using improved wall and roof insulation, windows that let light in and keep heat out, lighting controls that use daylight dimming and occupancy sensors, and highly efficient mechanical equipment. In addition, A 16 kW photovoltaic system (solar panels) on the roof of the building provides seven percent of the energy requirements for the facility.

The display describes each of the LEED categories and how they have been introduced in the building. Topics discussed include: strategies to encourage carpools and public transit, the use of renewable energy, implementing low volatile organic compounds (VOC) products and the use of regional building materials.

The Budlong Woods LEED display, located in the front lobby, is made from sustainable materials including agricultural biocomposites and FSC certified wood.

Additional Photos of the Budlong Woods LEED Project

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For information on Andrés Edwards's new book, The Heart Of Sustainability: Restoring Ecological Balance From The Inside Out including: book reviews, table of contents, foreword, annotated bibliography and up-coming events go to www.andresedwards.com