The Bob Hope International Airport in Burbank, CA is home to the world’s first LEED Platinum aviation facility in the US, Hanger 25. Airports aren’t typically known for their sustainable footprint, and applying concepts of sustainable construction to the warehouse buildings that house airplanes have previously not been on any pilot’s radar. Serving as a true model in sustainable building, Hanger 25 does a lot to challenge an industry that is typically know for their carbon-heavy reputation, taking impressive strides to improve the environmental realities of operating an aircraft.
At approximately 52,000 square feet, 10,000 of which is dedicated to office space the hanger is big enough to hold corporate gets as large as the Boeing Business Jet 757-200 along with additional support areas for its maintenance crew and staff. From its initial design conception, the goal of Hanger 25 was always to achieve a LEED Platinum rating. Key sustainable features include a solar array on the roof that produces 119% of the Hanger’s power needs, a combination of High-Volume/Low Speed fans to move air throughout the Hanger without using too much energy, and extensive use of daylighting opportunities limiting the need for artificial light during working hours. Unique to the hanger, is the instillation of a Hi-Fog fire suppression system that uses water converted to fog to suppress the fire as opposed to the usual chemically saturated foam suppression systems.
Since its doors opened, Hanger 25 has become somewhat of a sustainable landmark and educational tool in the City of Burbank. In 2009 the hanger was the chosen location for a sustainable building roundtable discussion on the future of sustainable building and the green collar economy led by former President Bill Clinton, founder of the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Climate Initiative.
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