Renewable energy systems and roof gardens will join the famous antennae on the Sears Tower's staggered rooftops in Chicago; said building officials who announced on Wednesday that the skyscraper would undergo an extensive refit with sustainable in mind. An estimated $350m, with a number of private and public financing and funding options currently being explored, will be spent on the improvements.
The five-year project would reduce the tower's electricity use by 80% through a combination of energy savings and co-generation measures, and save 24 million gallons of water a year, building owners and architects said.
John Huston of American Landmark Properties, the partnership that owns Sears Tower, said: “Sears Tower, an iconic structure that defines the city's skyline, will undergo a groundbreaking transformation that creates economic growth with positive impact on our environment, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.” He added: "Our very ambitious plans to modernise and transform this icon will re-establish Sears Tower as a leader, a pioneer.”
Wind turbines, solar thermal panels and green roofing
Sears Tower, which opened in 1973, will be fitted with advanced lighting control systems and daylight harvesting, which automatically dims lights based on the amount of sunlight entering through the windows. The building will also become a beacon for renewable energy with wind turbines being installed alongside the tower’s antennae to take advantage of the tower's height and unique set-back roof areas. Solar thermal panels will be installed on the tower's 90th floor roof to heat water used in the building.
Around 3,000 m2 of roof gardens will also be planted with species that can survive in high-altitude conditions. It will be among the tallest in the world and will be tested to reduce storm water runoff, improve insulation, help mitigate the urban heat island effect, and provide pleasant vistas for tenants overlooking the areas.
"This endeavour is incredibly important as a role model for others to follow," architect Adrian Smith highlighted. "We see this as a groundbreaking opportunity."
Other changes to the 110-storey skyscraper include improvements to the 16,000 windows on the outside of the tower to save heat loss; efficiency upgrades to its 104 elevators; and retrofits aimed at saving water.
The project should create 3,600 jobs, officials claim, and will include a learning centre on the ground floor showcasing green efforts to the public.
Officials say their aim is to achieve "LEED" status for the tower, otherwise known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a rating system developed by the US Green Building Council.
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