Join Illinois Green Alliance in a double-feature building tour at the iconic 401 N Michigan Ave.  This tour will take you through the full building’s systems and explore how this structure, completed in 1965, achieved it’s LEED Platinum certification in 2022. It will also include a walk-through of the LEED Platinum–certified commercial office of Ireland House, home to the Consulate General of Ireland and IDA Ireland, Ireland’s foreign direct investment agency.  See more information about the two halves of this event below. 

401 N Michigan Ave: 

Designed by Skidmore Owings & Merrill in 1965 and currently managed by Zeller, the building is proud to be LEED Platinum, Energy Star, WELL-HSR, and Gold-Rated WiredScore. Additionally, it was the recipient of the BOMA International Office Building of the Year in 2022 and the building’s Chief Engineer, Kurt Anderson, LEED GA, was the 2021 BOMA Building Engineer of the year.  Kurt and his team of engineers will discuss some of the strategies and upgrades over the years that have helped to hit energy efficiency and LEED goals.   These include: 

• Installation of Wireless Pneumatic Thermostats - Saving over $100k annually 
• Boiler burner retrofits 
• Greywater harvesting 
• Monitoring-based commission programs 
• Utility analytics monitoring programs provide real time usage data and can run models of future projects to evaluate impact prior to implementation 

You can learn more about these energy-efficiency upgrades in our case study here.  

Ireland House: 

The LEED Platinum–certified Ireland House is an inviting space that aims to evoke Ireland’s rich, biophilic natural environment through thoughtful design and materiality. Join us as we share insights and best practices for achieving LEED Platinum certification in a commercial interior, followed by a tour of this beautifully designed space that brings the spirit and landscape of Ireland to life. This project set out to serve as a true reflection of Irish heritage and hospitality, fostering connection and collaboration for the Irish community in Chicago. 

Speakers: 

• Kurt Anderson, Chief Engineer, Zeller 
• Megan Zack, Chief Sustainability Officer, Wight & Company