Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) called on downtown office building tenants like themselves to take the next step in major energy savings and exceed the Chicago Energy Challenge commitments announced by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Working with its own landlord at the historic Santa Fe Building, 224 S. Michigan Ave., SOM is collaborating with fellow architectural firms Goettsch Partners and VOA to partner with building owner University of Notre Dame and manager Hamilton Partners to drive energy savings beyond the 20% reduction pledged today at the Mayor’s press conference.
“Building ownership and management can control only a portion of energy use, while it is the tenants who can really move the needle of energy reduction by their consumption choices and actions,” said SOM managing partner Richard Tomlinson, who attended the Mayor’s announcement.
“Turning off our powerful computers and multiple monitors at night, better managing our office lighting, and many other techniques can take the Mayor’s energy challenge goals far beyond those announced today,” Tomlinson said. “Engaging tenants as we have done at the Santa Fe Building is the next step in energy and carbon dioxide reduction, and one that tenants will carry home to their neighborhoods.”
Hamilton Partners is preparing to equip the three architecture firms with energy-use monitors that will give the tenants real-time feedback and motivation to constantly improve the energy efficiency of their operations.
SOM began working with the Mayor’s chief sustainability officer Karen Weigert and Craig Sieben of Sieben Energy Associates in January, to identify and recruit the leadership group of buildings announced today. Many of the energy challenge organizational meetings took place in the Santa Fe Building, in the penthouse of which Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett created the 1909 Plan of Chicago. +
Related Stories
| Feb 22, 2012
Perkins Eastman expands portfolio in China and Vietnam
Recent awards, project progress signal ongoing commitment to region.
| Feb 22, 2012
Suffolk awarded Boston post office renovation project
Renovation of art deco landmark will add 21,000 square feet of retail and 110 new parking spaces.
| Feb 21, 2012
Top 10 trends in commercial lenders’ environmental due diligence
EDR offers free webinar on February 22, 2012 at 1 p.m.
| Feb 21, 2012
Three Goettsch leaders elevated to AIA College of Fellows
Honor recognizes significant contributions to architecture and society.
| Feb 21, 2012
Skanska welcomes Morrison and Viviano to Atlanta office
Morrison will serve as a vice president and Viviano will serve as senior director of business development for Georgia.
| Feb 21, 2012
PV America West conference showcases solar growth market
Solar industry gathers March 19-21, 2012 in San Jose to discuss technology, market development and policy.
| Feb 21, 2012
SMPS announces Build Business 2012 keynote speakers
National conference set for July 11–13 in San Francisco.
| Feb 20, 2012
Comment period for update to USGBC's LEED Green Building Program now open
This third draft of LEED has been refined to address technical stringency and rigor, measurement and performance tools, and an enhanced user experience.
| Feb 20, 2012
Sto Corp. announces new technical director for Canada
Edgar will have full responsibility of specifications, details, website technical content, testing and approvals, and will support the Canada sales team.
| Feb 20, 2012
GAF introduces web portal for architects and specifiers
The new portal offers a clean look with minimal clutter to make it easier to find the technical information and product data that architects need.
