Environmental Law & Policy Center Opens New State of the Art Green Office in Landmark Building

CHICAGO, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) inaugurated a new green office today in the "Old Jeweler's Building," a historic landmark in downtown Chicago. The office is designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification, the highest standard in green building. Creating a cutting-edge sustainable office in a historic building was a uniquely challenging project. The result is a model for green office space that ELPC believes others will follow.

"We've created a highly efficient workspace that's healthy for our staff and makes economic sense," said Howard Learner, Executive Director of ELPC. "We've also created an example that can push the market toward a higher standard for green office design."

ELPC's new office maximizes the green features of the interior to create a sustainable, high-tech space while preserving the building's historic facade.  An efficient lighting system uses half the power of a conventional system while interior windows and frosted glass spread natural light throughout the office. Lighting, electrical outlets, heating and cooling are all controlled with state-of the-art sensors that use power only where it's needed, dramatically cutting ELPC's utility bills and avoiding pollution.

During construction, ELPC diverted more than 75% of waste from landfills and used locally sourced, recycled and recyclable materials. Natural surfaces and finishes without toxic chemicals and VOCs improve the office's air quality. A private shower encourages employees to bike to work, and solar panels on the building's facade will directly supply the office with clean energy.

ELPC opened its first green office more than a decade ago and combined that example with advocacy to promote green building and enact green building policies in Illinois and around the region. The new green office is the latest effort by ELPC to create environmental progress and economic development together.

By employing innovative technology and forward-thinking design, the office creates a new green space in an old building. It's a valuable example because in coming years 80% of building will occur as renovations of existing space, rather than new construction.  "The real success of this project will come five years down the road when other offices around the region have followed this example," said Learner. "If we can inspire others and move the market forward, what's cutting edge today will be commonplace tomorrow."

More information is available at www.elpc.org/greenoffice.

The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest's leading environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization. www.ELPC.org.

SOURCE Environmental Law & Policy Center

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