Tuthill Corporate Headquarters
Extraordinary sustainable features include:

• careful building siting with an east-west orientation allowed for extensive southern glazing to capture controlled daylight, berming north of building to provide a buffer from cold winter breezes and an expansion plan that took full advantage of natural site amenities;
• displacement ventilation system that delivers conditioned air low maximizing user comfort and naturally cleaning the air;
• an open office plan in this high powered office maximizes views and connection to the environment, minimizes material required for build-out and maximizes long term building flexibility;
• extensive southern glazing with extensive overhangs allows in natural light to mitigate the use of electric light as photosensors automatically adjust interior light levels to save energy;
• building planning that incorporated the need for seamless modular expansion.

In addition, the holistic design includes office space, an exercise area, a lunch area and specifically design exterior spaces. The result is a place of business that serves the whole person, not just the individual as a worker.
The building was also completed prior to the widespread adoption of LEED. Without any outside measure, the decisions were based on an evaluation of a strategy's payback. The result is both an environmentally and economically responsible project.

Villa Park Police Station
Planned for LEED Silver Rating
Extraordinary sustainable features include:

• green roof to reduce heat island affect while reducing stormwater run-off from the roof;
• porous paving with vegetated bioswales and native landscaping to maximize water infiltration and treatment on site and reduce demands on our stormwater management infrastructure;
• extensive daylighting from clerestory windows protected by sun shades create healthy work space without the burden of glare and heat gain from direct sunlight;
• a construction waste management plan that recycled almost 90% of construction waste instead of placing it in landfills.
  

Prairie Crossing Charter School
Planned for LEED Silver Rating
Extraordinary sustainable features include:

• east-west site orientation to maximize controllable southern daylight while minimizing uncontrollable east and west light during sunrise and sunset;
• geothermal heating and cooling with heat recovery ventilation;
• daylight in all regularly occupied spaces through nearly continuous band of clerestory glazing and roof monitors;
• natural ventilation via operable windows from building exterior through to mechanically operated hallway roof monitors;
• renewable materials including cork and bamboo flooring along with wheatboard for laminate cores;
• water conservation including dual flush toilets, sensored faucets;
• rainwater collection cisterns tied to roof downspouts for irrigation.

The design also looked to conserve material resources by minimizing added finishes. In the corridors, for instance, concrete floors were stained and standard roof trusses were left exposed to recall the barns of old. By avoiding finishes like acoustical ceiling tile and VCT floor tiles added in these areas, their embodied energy was saved along with the energy and material required for their maintenance.
Finally, the standard classroom program was enhanced with each teaching area supplemented by a "Study Nook"--a small alcove that each classroom could adapt to its own particular need. This flexibility not only enhances the teaching environment, but also gives the building better long term viability as it can adapt to different needs more easily.

Ryerson Woods Visitor's Center
Planned for LEED Silver Rating
Extraordinary sustainable features include:

• geothermal heating and cooling with heat recovery ventilation;
• displacement ventilation for a healthier and more comfortable office area;
• natural ventilation through operable window and roof ventilators;
• fabric ducts in select areas with significantly less embodied energy than typical metal ductwork;
• renewable wheatboard was used for interior wall finishes and extensive cabinetry;
• underground rainwater collection cistern for fire protection system with piping to allow for flushing of toilets if/when code allows;
• exterior cistern to capture additional roof rainwater for site irrigation;
• a tight building shell was detailed to provide continuous air and thermal barrier to minimize heat gain and loss.
  

Matteson Village Hall
Extraordinary sustainable features include:

• carefully studied building configuration with enclosed support spaces on north to buffer cold, north winter breezes with continuous glazing on south to maximize daylight and views;
• extensive southern glazing complemented by sloping interior ceilings and light shelves to distribute natural light as deep into building interior as possible;
• materials predominantly specified from local manufacturers to reduce embodied energy associated with transportation;
• a community meeting chamber placed under tower element allowing for natural ventilation via chimney effect;
• site planning to restore natural ecosystem and provide amenity to the community including a pond and native landscaping.
  

Northern Illinois Planning Commission
Office Build-Out
Planned for LEED CI (Commercial Interiors) Silver Rating
Extraordinary sustainable features include:

• construction waste management plan that recycled almost 97% of construction debris;
• extensive reuse of existing resources including walls, floor coverings, ceiling tile,doors and door hardware;
• renewable wheatboard panels were sculpted for decorative wall finish in high visibility areas;
• materials included renewable cork, countertops with recycled aluminum cans and recycled paper.

The design also incorporated an educational component as vignettes in the lobby will communicate the sustainable features to broaden understanding in the community.

Area One Police Headquarters and
Engine Company No. 46 Renovations
Both Part of LEED for Existing Buildings Pilot Program
Extraordinary sustainable features include:

• green roof to reduce heat island and reduce stormwater run-off;
• high performance office lighting specifically laid out to coordinate with furniture and minimize fixture count to reduce energy use;
• a green cleaning program was developed to insure that unwanted chemical build-up and off-gasing would be avoided.
  

ShoreBank Branch Bank
Planned for LEED Silver Rating
Extraordinary sustainable features include:

• green roof to reduce heat island and reduce stormwater run-off;
• geothermal heating and cooling with heat recovery ventilation;
• extensive daylighting through southern glazing and clerestories protected by long overhangs, exterior shading devices and light shelves;
• materials specifically chosen for their durability, the ease with which they can be kept free of dirt and allergens, their recycled content and their low VOCs.

The building was also planned as a prototype for other branch banks to come. As a result, the design had to be flexible enough to address a variety of site configurations and orientations. The resulting circular form can be easily adapted to a variety of site access and view orientations while always being able to adapt to a site's particular relation to the sun and prevailing winds.
The design also incorporated an educational component as vignettes in the lobby will communicate the sustainable features of the building and encourage clients and staff to take advantage of their benefits personally.

Private Residence - Lake Forest, IL
Extraordinary sustainable features include:

• superinsulated envelope with R-50 insulation in the walls and R-8 windows, tremendous resistance to thermal transfer reduces capital costs in mechanical unit sizing, operational costs and maintenance cost;
• stained concrete floors are carefully protected from summer sun by shading devices but are open to lower winter sun angles to create a thermal storage slab to collect heat during the day and release it all through the night making for a more comfortable and energy efficient interior.