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Green Buildings Case Studies
Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago
2100 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview, IL 60026
847.832.6600 (p)
847.724.6469 (f)
Dave Judy (contact)
DJudy@kohlchildrensmuseum.org
- Green Unseen, (pdf) Dave Judy (Kohl Children’s Museum), Hand to Hand, volume 20, Spring 2006
Architect: Booth Hansen and Associates
Building Size: 46,700 sq. ft.
Project Budget: 23 million
Opening Date: October 15, 2005
LEED Certification: Silver
About Kohl's Sustainable New Building Project:
The new and expanded Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago is located in an 8.8-acre parcel of land in the center of The Glen in Glenview, five miles west of the old site in Wilmette, in between two major expressways.
The new 46,700 sq. ft. facility has a 36,000 footprint including 10,700 on the second floor for administrative space. Public space has expanded from 10,500 to 28,000 sq. ft. including a café and educational store. 200 Free parking spaces plus six dedicated bus spaces along with 2 acres of outdoor exhibit space allow for the museum to be less weather dependant.
The 17 hands-on interactive exhibits at the new museum support the strategic direction of the Museum as outlined in its mission statement and key beliefs. Many of the exhibits include environmentally-friendly messages. For example, Adventures in Art often employs art projects that re-use materials or incorporate recycled materials. The Nature Explorers exhibit features an interactive element which explains how glass, plastic, and other materials can be recycled. The Water Works exhibit features signage explaining the use of earth-friendly ozone bromine rather than chlorine. Habitat Park, a 2-acre outdoor exhibit allows children to explain nature in a hands-on fashion.
The Museum's Decision to Go Green:
It’s important for us to be good stewards of the environment in order to maintain a world that our children can enjoy for many years to come. We are the caretakers of our children’s futures.
How Kohl's Project is Sustainable:
The building and outdoor space were designed according to LEED specifications. Specifically, we have kept asphalt to a minimum and integrated indigenous plants that help absorb run-off from the parking lot, clerestory windows allow for ample natural light in the building, the roof allows water to run off and irrigate the property, the roof material reflects summer heat. Most building materials were purchased within 400 miles of the Museum site. The wooden truss ceilings are made of wheatboard, a recycled product. The carpet tiles are LEED approved. The HVAC System has been designed to maximize power usage in the building.
Project's Distinguishing Features:
- Plants specifically chosen for erosion control.
- Plants in parking lot break down toxic runoff.
- Light colored roof reflects heat instead of absorbing it.
- Ozone bromine rather than chlorine in Water Works.
- Low-flow water fixtures and toilets.
- Clerestory windows allow more natural light.
- Carpet tiles made form recycled materials.
- Building orientation designed to capture natural sun warmth in the winter.
- Glazing on windows traps heat in winter, repels it in summer.
Piece of advice for others regarding project:
Contract with an architect and general contractor with experience in building LEED buildings and with certified LEED staff on board. Incorporate the ideas at the very beginning of the project planning to maximize opportunity for LEED points and cost efficiencies.