May 20, 2010
CHICAGO, IL – AMLI 900 recently became Chicago’s first rental residential high rise to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification from the US Green Building Council under LEED for New Construction Version 2.2. The 24-story, 480,000-square-foot tower is located in Chicago’s thriving South Loop at 900 S. Clark Street. Sieben Energy Associates (SEA)—a Chicago-based energy and sustainability consulting firm—was the LEED consultant and systems commissioning agent for the project.
To achieve LEED Certification, the project team incorporated numerous sustainable and energy efficient building elements in the design and construction of AMLI 900. Regional materials that were manufactured, harvested, or extracted within 500 miles of the site were used for over 40% of the building. The project achieved a 32% reduction in potable water use, which will save over two million gallons of potable water every year compared to standard buildings of similar size.
AMLI 900 is capped off by over 7,000 square feet of reflective roofing materials, as well as 5,000 square feet of green roof area. This new high rise offers Chicagoans environmentally-friendly luxury apartments with stunning views of the lakefront and skyline.
As part of the LEED Certification process, building owner AMLI Residential also developed the “Breathe Easy” program for the residence, making it the first 100% smoke-free high rise residential building in Chicago. Jennifer Wolf, Senior Vice President of Development at AMLI Residential emphasized the company’s focus on sustainability efforts. “AMLI is committed to providing a sustainable living environment for our residents. Achieving LEED certification at AMLI 900 is an important part of advancing that mission.”
SEA worked with the project team throughout design and construction phases, providing compliance calculations, LEED documentation, and shared knowledge of sustainability practices. SEA also served as the commissioning authority, ensuring that all building systems are operating as efficiently as possible. Additionally, SEA provided necessary documentation and application materials for a Green Permit through the City of Chicago Department of Buildings.
SEA partnered with AMLI Residential, Chicago architecture firm Soloman Cordwell Buenz, and general contractor Walsh Construction to help achieve AMLI 900’s LEED certification goal. For the owner, that goal stretches beyond a single building. “Experiencing the LEED certification process at AMLI 900 has served to enhance our commitment to sustainable efforts, not only for our new projects going forward, but also for our existing apartment portfolio,” said Wolf.
Andrea Cooper (LEED AP), a member of SEA’s LEED consulting team, emphasized the project team’s commitment to green building. “It was a pleasure working with the AMLI 900 team to achieve their LEED Certification goals. Sieben Energy is proud to have been a part of the dedicated project team,” said Cooper.
About Sieben Energy Associates
Sieben Energy Associates (SEA) is a strategic and technical consulting firm that specializes in energy efficiency, sustainable design, and strategic energy management solutions. Since 1990, SEA has helped hundreds of clients in the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors identify ways to reduce their energy costs, strengthen their sustainability profiles, and implement green solutions for new and existing buildings. SEA helps clients to reduce operating expenses, increase shareholder value, and manage the risks of global climate change.
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