Chicago, Illinois

Demonstration Site: South Wabash SRO The South Wabash Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) project shows that energy efficiency doesn't take away from contemporary, high-profile architecture. This eight-story studio apartment building will go up on an inner-city lot in the South Loop community of Chicago, IL. Each of the 168 SRO units will be approximately 290 square feet, and will rent for $356/month (including utilities), which is affordable to individuals earning 30% of the median area income. Common spaces on every residential floor will provide amenity to residents of the modest units. Projects with this level of affordability generally don't budget for unconventional techniques. But the architect/development team has some experience with energy efficiency and green design, and is especially motivated to make the project a winner considering a State program that promises $170,000 in building incentives for integrating energy efficient features. The design is undergoing a thorough DOE 2.1E analysis to gauge the effects of various glazing configurations, exterior wall assemblies, and HVAC specifications on the monthly energy costs of the units. Performance goalsetting, technology recommendation, and cost-benefit analysis, and specification assistance, will be conducted by PATH through Steven Winter Associates, Inc. Click here for more information.