The tallest building in the United States is getting a $350 million renovation that will ultimately cut its electricity consumption by 80%. The ambitious plans include wind turbines and solar panels for an extra bit of appeal in the public eye. The rest of the savings will be achieved through upgraded efficiency in most everything a building needs to operate.
An improved glass exterior will help maximize the use of natural light while limiting passive solar heating within the office space during hot summer months. The new windows will be accompanied with an improved indoor lighting system to lower the necessary watts to illuminate the office space while insuring that lights are only used when necessary.
The internal systems will also be overhauled. Energy efficient heating and cooling will lower the building's burden on the grid. Alongside these traditional improvements will be a new elevator systems design. This sounds like a small task until you consider that 102 elevators cover the 4.5 million square foot, 110-story building.
This is quite the task for the architects and builders to achieve, but it will be a sterling example of what smart renovation can achieve. A portion of the cost will be covered by its own energy improvements, not to mention a boost in tourism and the upgrade in desirable office space.
For more information:
The Chicago Tribune
The New York Times
Treehugger
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