1. CHICAGO
DECARBONIZATION PLAN
Gordon Gill AIA

2. CO2 emissions
21%
Source: Chicago Climate Action Plan

3. Buildings: 70%
(3x Cars)
Source: Chicago Climate Action Plan

4. 600M people/yr

5. 2015 Megacities
Tokyo, 36 million
New Delhi, 24 million
Mumbai, 22 million
Mexico City, 21 million
São Paulo, 20 million
© National Geographic

6. MASDAR HEADQUARTERS

9. New buildings 1% of stock

10. CATALYST FOR LARGER STUDY

11. 68,000,000
kwh/year =

12. THE STUDY AREA

13. The Chicago Loop Produces 3.9 Million Metric Tons
of Carbon Each Year

14. PV FARM WIND FARM

15. 90 % of the square footage of
buildings in the Chicago Loop was
built before 1975. Much of this
square footage has equipment and
systems nearing the end of their life
cycle. New buildings account for
less than 1% of Chicago’s building
stock.
10%
1%
Carbon Use
Land Use
NEW CONSTRUCTION vs. EXISTING BUILDING STOCK

16. THE CHICAGO LOOP PARAMETRIC MODEL

17. DATA MODEL: BUILDING USE

18. DATA MODEL: BUILDING SIZE

19. DATA MODEL: TOTAL CARBON

20. DATA MODEL: ENERGY USE/ INTENSITY

21. DATA MODEL: BUILDING ERA

22. • Masonry with punched operable windows
(25%- 50%)
• MEP-not operating optimally
• Narrow floor plates allow for natural light
HERITAGE BUILDINGS: 1880- 1950
(PRE AIR CONDITIONING)

23. • Curtain wall systems
• Glass percentage: 50% to 80%
• Mechanical plants have large heating and cooling
capacity to overcome internal load
• Heat by light was common
• Large floor plates with central core
MID-CENTURY BUILDINGS: 1950-1975
( PRE ENERGY EMBARGO)

24. POST ENERGY CRISIS: 1975-2000
• Curtain wall systems
• Mirrored or dark tinted glass single or double pane
• Introduction of thermal breaks
• Induction/fan coil units at perimeter with interior air via ducted
systems
• Mechanical plants begin to use variable equipment
• Lighting levels steadily reduced from 1970s levels
• Large floor plates with central core

25. LEED AWARENESS BUILDINGS ERA: 2000- PRESENT
• Curtain wall systems
• Clearer glass with Low-E coatings or tint: double pane
• VAV or FCU systems with less perimeter heat needed
• Use of variable frequency pumps, drives and DDC controls
• Lighting levels reduced to meet energy codes and LEED
• Natural daylight and light controls
• Large floor plates but shallower lease spans for natural light

27. CITY WITHIN A CITY – MIXED USE COMMUNITY
District Cooling Basic NecessitiesSchools Parks

28. URBAN DENSITY VERSUS GASOLINE USAGE

29. MOBILITY NETWORK ANALYSIS

30. INTER-MODAL GREEN AXIS

31. MONROE INTER-MODAL GREEN AXIS

32. DECARBONIZATION… STEP-BY-STEP

35. + 30% Development < 50% Carbon
0.00
0.75
1.50
2.25
3.00
3.75
MMTCO2e
Carbon Footprint Existing (MMTCO2e) Carbon Footprint New (MMTCO2e)
Additional High Performance Office Decarbonization + Transit
00
25
50
75
100
2009 205
Mixed Use Office
50%

36. Old Technology / Old Philosophy
New Technology / Old Philosophy
New Technology / New Philosophy

37. “The real voyage of discovery consists
not in seeking new landscapes but in
having new eyes.”
– Marcel Proust