Chicago FBI Building gets Highest Green Rating from USGBC
One of the greenest existing buildings in the world is right here in Chicago. It’s the Federal Bureau of Investigation Regional Facility and it the first to receive Platinum Rating in Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings. Yes, that is a mouthful, but what it means is out of only 16 buildings in the world that are being renovated to meet platinum rating standards, the Chicago FBI is the very first to achieve the designation.
LEED EBOM designation (as it is called for short) is given to existing buildings that have been refurbished with environmentally safe and energy efficient elements. Platinum is the highest level of LEED EBOM and its honor is only given to conventional facilities that have pulled out all the stops to become truly sustainable, eco-friendly structures. The designation is regulated by the United States Green Building Council, which awards titles to completed buildings that fully satisfy the criterion set for LEED designation.
At present there are only 15 other Platinum LEED EBOM projects in the works across the globe (all but one of which are in the U.S.). Looks like, once again, Chicago has set the precedent for green innovation. Not a bad way to start the New Year.
Posted at 11:21AM Jan 02, 2009 by Spencer Mason in General Comments[0]
