Residential High-Rise

Business Activity: Residential Real Estate
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Project: LEED Consulting and Commissioning Services

The developer of a new 1,000,000-square-foot residential building wanted to ensure their high-rise would serve as a model for future green building efforts in Chicago. Committed to sustainable practices, they decided to pursue LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Sieben Energy Associates (SEA) was engaged as the project’s LEED Consultant and Commissioning Agent. SEA immediately set to work understanding the client’s plans and goals for the project and pinpointing the areas that would require the greatest care and attention to detail.

SEA’s LEED APs guided the project team through the LEED submittal process. They provided the sustainability expertise necessary to propel the project forward and supported the application with the necessary documentation. SEA consulted on the planning and implementation of numerous initiatives that significantly reduced the building’s overall environmental impact while ensuring energy savings. Among these measures were the installation of a green roof, various methods for diverting construction waste from landfills, and strategies for reducing potable water use. SEA worked with the building’s project team every step of the way to implement these practical sustainable alternatives to traditional construction.

As construction progressed, SEA’s engineering team provided commissioning services to ensure that all building systems were operating as designers and manufacturers intended. SEA conducted a thorough post-occupancy energy audit to identify any potential sources of energy inefficiency. The team interviewed residents, examined utility expenses, and conducted statistical analyses of energy systems data. SEA’s recommendations following the audit led to increased operational efficiency and significant energy cost savings.

With the guidance of Sieben Energy Associates’ LEED consulting team, the project was awarded LEED Silver Certification, and the firm’s commissioning services have assured the building owners that their high-rise is running as efficiently as possible, minimizing energy usage and costs. These efforts helped the developer achieve their goal of establishing a new standard for urban, sustainable residential space. Reduced operating expenses and minimal environmental impact are just two of the proven results of SEA’s LEED consulting and commissioning services.