- 3 reads
The tallest building in the Western hemisphere has energy savings on its agenda. Sears Tower in Chicago introduced a $350 million green renovation plan that will endow the building with wind turbines, solar panels, and roof gardens. The 5-year project will cut energy consumption by 80 percent and reduce water usage by 40 percent.
The green renovation is just one of several changes planned for the 1,451-foot skyscraper. Later this summer, global insurance broker Willis Group Holdings will earn the rights to change the tower’s name to Willis Tower when they move 500 employees into the building.
Most of the renovations being done to the 110-story structure are intended to decrease its energy consumption. The building is installing solar panels on to heat water and wind turbines to create renewable energy and lessen consumption from the power grid. All 104 elevators and 15 escalators will be updated, cutting their energy use by 40 percent. The electricity for heating, ventilation, and cooling will be generated by fuel cells in new gas boilers. All 16,000 single-paned windows of the original 1973 building will be replaced with thermal-prevention windows to insulate the building from Chicago’s cold winters and hot summers. The tower will also utilize an advanced lighting system that uses natural light effectively and dims building lights accordingly.
In order to conserve water, bathrooms will be revamped with fixtures and processes aimed at saving an estimated 24 million gallons of water per year. At least 35,000 square feet of rooftop will serve as the habitat for green roof gardens, which will diminish storm runoff and convert CO2 back to oxygen.
The tall tower has high hopes for its green renovations. Along with the chance to obtain LEED certification for Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design, the project aims to display how high-rise city buildings can lessen their environmental impact, and using the tallest building in America to do so leaves no excuse for other skyscrapers. Once completed, there will be a ground floor exhibit showcasing the environmental efforts of the building. And, if all these renovations weren’t quite enough, the proposal also includes building a LEED-certified 50-story, 500-room luxury hotel next to the tower within the next 3 to 5 years as well.
