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).

Since 1877, the Pacific Garden Mission has been helping the homeless find a safe haven. The Pacific Garden Mission aims to get homeless men and women back on their feet and back into the working world. Last October, the mission relocated to a facility that combines the men’s and women’s into one, 156,000 square foot mission, located on 14th and Canal. The Mission will house 1,000 nightly occupants and serve food to 1,800 people over three shifts per meal.
In addition to being a socially responsible agency, the Mission is taking steps to make the new mission environmentally responsible as well.

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.

This home seeking Chicago Green Homes certification. Most of the green site elements that are possible are included here, such as a rain garden, rain barrels, green roof, and native landscaping.

Location
4041 W. Roosevelt, Chicago, IL 60624  Map
Developer
Interfaith Housing Development Corporation
Architect
Harley Ellis Deveraux
Sankofa House is a new 58-unit, 5-story apartment building for young adults and families. This is one of three projects being completed simultaneously by Interfaith Housing, which partners with community organizations to build affordable housing for underserved populations. Interfaith is building all three projects green [...]