Green Residential Condo Units: The Future of Condominium Ownership
2326 W. Giddings
Location
2326 W. Giddings, Chicago, IL 60625 Map
Developer
Terra Firma
Architect
Worn Jerabek Architects, P.C.
General Contractor
Skender Contruction Co.
Structural Engineer
Fisher and Partners
Mechanical Engineer
W-T Engineering
Civil Engineer
Terra Engineering
Commissioning
dbHMS
By Katherine Yoshida
The Fountain View Lincoln Square is one of the latest graduates from Chicago’s Green Permit Program, which fast-tracks the approval process for sustainable developments in the city. The mixed-use project on Chicago’s North Side, featuring 18 condo units and about 8,000 square feet of retail space, is chasing LEED® Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Developer Terra Firma’s strategy for the Fountain View has been to select building materials with an eye toward resource efficiency. On the shell of the building, the contractor added enhanced insulation (R-24 for the walls), double-paned argon-filled windows and doors and a green roof crafted from modular block. The interior of the property is equally impressive, with six inches of insulation in the walls, dual-flush toilets, bamboo flooring, recycled flooring and wall tile, Energy Star appliances and recycled carpeting in the bedrooms. Condo owners can look forward to an energy-efficient elevator and a separate trash chute for recycling. The first move-ins are expected at the end of September 2008.
One key aspect of the project’s sustainability is its location: Lincoln Square is an immensely walkable neighborhood with easy access to trains, buses and bike lanes. The site itself fronts Lincoln Avenue (despite the Giddings Street address) and sits adjacent to a public plaza featuring a large fountain (hence the development’s name).
The project received no public funds or tax incentives. Energy models predict that the Fountain View will at least 33 percent less energy than conventional buildings. And despite a more intensive use of the site (it was previously home to a retail storefront), a small private garden was incorporated into the development to help retail tenants control stormwater runoff. As much as 97 percent of the construction debris was recycled, according to the architect. The development team feels that pedestrian circulation has been improved between the sidewalk and the plaza, and the south façade provides a better frame for the public space. The retail mix on the block will be improved with two to four new tenants.
Tags: Energy Efficient, green condos, Green Permit Program, Green Residential, green roof, LEED® certified, LEED® Silver, Lincoln Square, recycled construction debris
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