Location: 155 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 (N/E corner of Wacker Dr. and Randolph St.)
Owner: JBC Opportunity Fund II & III / Morgan Stanley Real Estate
Developer: The John Buck Company / Brijus Property Company
Architect: Goettsch Partners
General Contractor: Bovis Lend Lease
Structural Engineer: Magnusson Klemencic Associates
Mechanical Engineer: Hill Mechanical Group
Owner-advocate for LEED Management: Environmental Systems Design [...]

Among the most innovative of the home’s green features is the use of insulating concrete forms (ICFs). According to the Insulating Concrete Forms Association’s website, the use of ICFs results in sturdier, quieter, more energy efficient homes. Instead of being made of wood paneling like traditional houses, ICF homes are built with concrete containing two layers of insulation, and are built to withstand the damages of fire, wind and time. The use of ICF should result in lower heating and cooling expenses.

As part of an effort to stimulate sustainable and equitable economic development in one of the more socioeconomically distressed areas of the region, the City of Chicago is sponsoring one of the largest sustainable neighborhood revitalization developments in the country. Consisting of 1,140 acres in the South Chicago neighborhood, the Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) plan will serve as a guide to the city for sustainable redevelopment on the south side for the next 25 years.

“Little Big Home” was coined to describe this 3,050-square-foot home, designed around a young family of four. From the insulated concrete foundation to the green roof, the home incorporates features aimed at practical comfort for a busy family.

Wight’s educational mission for sustainability does not end with plaques about green roofs and dual flush toilets (which had to be imported from Australia because no such thing existed in the US at the time of construction), but extends into the day to day operations of the firm itself. The firm offers LEED training classes to aid those preparing for the exam, Green Bag lunches to learn about products and technologies, and a Sustainability Forum encompassing Research and Development, the Green Library, Community Outreach, and the living laboratory that is the Darien office (the firm is constantly experimenting with different green building products and currently has seven different green roof plots on its roof in Darien).

Jewel-Osco is seeking LEED® certification for its first green grocery and drug store. The store opened on September 26, 2008 at 370 N. Desplaines St. in Chicago’s Fulton Market District. The store has been in development for 5 years due to the complexity of the design and pre-qualification requirements for LEED® Certification. The completed building features energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, water-saving features, energy-efficient lighting, and even an on-site chef who cooks with locally-grown and produced foods.