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Greenway Self-Park<a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/04/14/first-leed-certified-parking-garage/">Parking garages</a> aren't particularly known for their architecture -- or their green design -- but a new parking garage in Chicago is breaking the mold by harvesting power from gusts blowing through the heart of the windy city. The street-facing facade of the <a href="http://www.greenwayselfpark.com/" target="_blank">Greenway Self-Park</a> features 12 vertical-axis wind turbines that harvest the wind whipping through the city streets. Designed by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/07/27/old-san-francisco-mint-to-become-a-gorgeous-green-museum/" target="_blank">HOK</a>, the wind-powered garage also features rainwater collection, electric car plug-in stations and placards throughout the garage to educate parkers on sustainable living.1
Greenway Self ParkThe 11-story parking garage is located in the River North neighborhood of Chicago and includes 12 vertical axis wind turbines on the facade.2
Greenway Self ParkThe turbines harvest energy from the winds moving along Clark and Kinzie Streets to power the exterior lighting for the facility.3
Greenway Self ParkThe garage is seeking LEED certification for its energy-efficient design and innovative use of building-integrated wind turbines.4
Greenway Self ParkBesides the wind turbines, the building also collects rainwater and includes a number of electric vehicle plug-in stations.5
Greenway Self ParkThe exterior of the building is covered in an open glazing system comprised of a visually-layered fabric of breathable glass channels, which allows air to move naturally through the building, eliminating the need for a mechanical system.6
Greenway Self ParkThe garage also features a way-finding system to educate Chicagoans on sustainable living and how to better protect the environment.7
Greenway Self ParkTodd Halamka, Director of Design for HOK’s Chicago office, commented: “Clients across a wide range of sectors have been asking us for architectural solutions that push the sustainable envelope. For this assignment, Friedman Properties gave us the opportunity to collaboratively envision what a ‘green’ parking garage could be. Our design is sustainably astute and sets a new standard for this building type.”8
Greenway Self ParkThe garage is located on the corners of Kinzie and Clark Street.9
Greenway Self ParkThe park was developed by Friedman Properties and designed by HOK.10
