Design of the nation’s first zero net energy retail store elevates the typical Walgreens shopping experience from one of convenience to relevance. The new store in Evanston, Ill., features metal and composite material from Petersen Aluminum Corp., and a roof made of tiered sections that support almost 850 solar panels. The clever building design includes enough sustainable features to attempt to earn LEED Platinum status.
The store’s architecture is open and inviting, according to the design by John Bradshaw, licensed architect/planner at Camburas and Theodore Architects in Des Plaines, Ill., and those on his team. The design required roughly 33,000 sq. ft. of Petersen bone white steel coil, plus 7,600 sq. ft. of Reynobond composite panels for the soffits, edge trim and the backdrop that frames the lighted Walgreens signs above the main entrance. Sheet Metal Supply in Mundelein, Ill., roll-formed custom 13-in.-wide roof panels to accommodate the solar panel mounting system. Petersen’s ability to stock coil in non-standard widths reduced scrap and saved money.
The best feature of the building, in Bradshaw’s opinion, is the amount of daylighting. “The clerestory windows at each segment of the roof that we used for daylight harvesting, with the cantilevered roof segments that shade summer sun and provide maximum roof area for the solar panels, the segmented walls that break apart to allow even more daylight harvesting – all these elements acting together created the best look on the building,” he insisted.
The vision for the building incorporated the elements of green design such as daylight harvesting, solar panel arrays and a mechanical mezzanine. “It was our mission to incorporate these items in a meaningful design but, more importantly, to celebrate this new icon of sustainability and to promote its virtues with a design that lifted the typical Walgreens to a new height, both literally and figuratively,” Bradshaw said.
850 roof-top solar panels attached to metal roof.
Bradshaw prefers working with Petersen Aluminum products. “Truly, Petersen Aluminum is one of the most trusted products that we specify. We have never had a performance issue with the products, the color selections are broad and they are local, which suits almost all of our needs,” he said.
Inconveniently positioned power lines over an urban lot with restrictions on all sides contributed to a challenging work site, said Chuck Heintzelman of installing contractor WBR Roofing in Wauconda, Ill. “We simply worked around our surroundings like we always do, and made it work,” he said. Regarding Petersen products, Heintzelman added, “We enjoy using PAC-Clad products. Plus, it’s great to be part of a LEED building.”
In addition to the nearly 850 roof-top solar panels that generate enough energy to power 30 Illinois homes for a year, the Walgreens store also includes:
- Two 35-ft.-tall wind turbines, using Lake Michigan breezes to generate enough power to offset annual greenhouse gas emissions from 2.2 passenger vehicles;
- Geothermal energy obtained by drilling 550 feet into the ground below the store, where temperatures are more constant and can be tapped to heat or cool the store in winter and summer;
- LED lighting and daylight harvesting;
- Carbon dioxide refrigerant for heating, cooling and refrigeration equipment;
- Energy efficient building materials.
Engineering estimates – which can vary due to factors such as weather, store operations and systems performance – indicate that the store will use 200,000 kilowatt hours per year of electricity while generating 220,000 kilowatt hours per year.
Thomas Connolly, Walgreens vice president of facilities development, said, “We are investing in a net-zero energy store so we can bring what we learn to our other stores and share what we learn with other companies. Because we operate more than 8,000 stores, anything we do that reduces our carbon footprint can have a broad, positive impact on the nation’s environment.”
Sheet Metal Supply in Mundelein, Ill., supplied the metal for the roof panels. The general contractor was Osman Construction Corp. in Arlington Heights, Ill.
To learn more about the Walgreens net zero energy store in Evanston, Ill., visit this page.
Related Stories
Sponsored | | Aug 4, 2022
Brighter vistas: Next-gen tools drive sustainability toward net zero line
New technologies, innovations, and tools are opening doors for building teams interested in better and more socially responsible design.
Sustainability | Aug 4, 2022
To reduce disease and fight climate change, design buildings that breathe
Healthy air quality in buildings improves cognitive function and combats the spread of disease, but its implications for carbon reduction are perhaps the most important benefit.
K-12 Schools | Aug 1, 2022
Achieving a net-zero K-12 facility is a team effort
Designing a net-zero energy building is always a challenge, but renovating an existing school and applying for grants to make the project happen is another challenge entirely.
Codes and Standards | Jul 29, 2022
Few projects and properties are being built beyond code
Clients and architects disagree on how well building to code provides resilience, according to a recent report by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in partnership with Owens Corning.
Green | Jul 26, 2022
Climate tech startup BlocPower looks to electrify, decarbonize the nation's buildings
The New York-based climate technology company electrifies and decarbonizes buildings—more than 1,200 of them so far.
Energy-Efficient Design | Jul 19, 2022
All is not lost: 3 ways architects can respond to the Supreme Court’s EPA ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s power to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from power plants dealt a significant blow to our ability to fight the climate crisis with federal policy.
Energy | Jul 13, 2022
Electrification of buildings, new and old, furthers environmental responsibility and equity
It’s almost a cliché in our industry, but nonetheless: The greenest building is the one that is already built.
Codes and Standards | Jul 12, 2022
USGBC sets out principles for LEED’s future
The U.S. Green Building Council recently published a report containing principles outlining how LEED will evolve.
Building Team | Jul 12, 2022
10 resource reduction measures for more efficient and sustainable biopharma facilities
Resource reduction measures are solutions that can lead to lifecycle energy and cost savings for a favorable return on investment while simultaneously improving resiliency and promoting health and wellness in your facility.
Building Team | Jul 1, 2022
How to apply WELL for better design outcomes
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) cites attracting top talent, increasing productivity, and improving environmental, social or governance (ESG) performance as key outcomes of leveraging tools like their WELL Building Standard to develop healthier environments.
