With the help of Nathan Kipnis, one ranch-home owner turned a mildewy relic into a 21st century beacon. The home, originally 1675 sf, was completely renovated to include 1600 sf of basement space, nearly doubling the living area. The addition of carefully selected architectural and construction elements transformed the home from dank and dark to airy, comfortable, and energy efficient.

In December 2005, the Village of Oak Park began construction on what will be the first LEED certified public works facility in the state of Illinois. Completed in September of 2007, the $26 million facility maintains an array of environmentally friendly features and systems, and is presently in the process of acquiring LEED Gold Certified rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. Green materials of the building include low-emission paints, adhesives, coatings, sealants and carpeting, while energy features include taking advantage of large windows for passive solar heat and installing an ultra-efficient HVAC system. What is more, the top of the building will be outfitted with a green roof.

With the help of friends and family, the pair has been transforming the vintage house into a green home. Features of the La Fleur home include PowerZoning air recirculation, a tankless water heater, soy foam insulation, and an exterior rain barrel. Since the home is a partial renovation of an old house, it is ineligible for LEED® certification.

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.

The future of residential architecture and design is on display at the Museum of Science and Industry through January 4, 2009. Designed by architect Michelle Kaufmann and billed as Chicago’s greenest house, Smart Home is a real home built to showcase what sustainable living can truly be.

A model home for the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association’s (HCBA) Greener Homes For Belmont-Cragin program. During the construction process, the home was used as a learning lab, instructing residents on techniques for restoring windows, insulation and air sealing, and landscaping.