This home features several sophisticated green technologies such as geothermal HVAC and a grid-tied, battery backup 2.5 kW photovoltaic system.

PCC Community Wellness Center is a non-profit network of health care centers that has provided affordable health care to underserved west side communities for over 25 years. Now, with the construction of the Austin Family Health Center, essential services like pediatric care, diagnostic testing, women’s health care, HIV testing and family planning will be offered in a building that is healthier for staff, visitors and the environment. The 18,000 square-foot facility, slated to open next summer, will have 15 exam rooms, increasing PCC capacity by 150% and providing care for up to 32,000 patients each year.

1840 N. Leavitt is an example of the jumbo-sized home that works to counteract its large size with a variety of green measures. An existing 100 year old multi-unit residential building being converted to a single family residence. The project is seeking Chicago Green Homes and Energy Star certification.

The Heppner Residence is an example of extreme do-it-yourself green renovation. This existing 100 year-old wood frame single family home is being rebuilt by Tim and Charles Heppner, two brothers, with Tim acting as architect and performing most construction work himself. The Heppner brothers are seeking Energy Star and Chicago Green Homes certification for their new home.

The home is seeking Chicago Green Homes certification, starting with a variety of energy-efficiency strategies. The existing walls will be insulated with soy-based spray foam insulation, and a geothermal system will provide heating and cooling. As in many green homes, clerestory windows at the top of a central light and air shaft open to provide natural ventilation. Here, though, the windows will open and close automatically in response to a temperature sensor. Similarly, window shades will raise and lower automatically in response to daylight. These features and more will be controlled by a computer-based building automation system, typically only seen in commercial buildings.

Location
1729 W. Potomac, Chicago, IL 60622 Map
Owner
HN Builders
Architect
Norsman Architects
The Norsman Residence is another example of a higher-budget single family home with a carefully considered green and design sense. The project is new construction on a substandard Chicago lot (23.5’ x 100’). It includes many of the features we are increasingly seeing for these semi-demonstration projects, [...]