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Sustainable Site

Green roofs are vegetated surfaces that reduce heat island effects by replacing heat absorbing surfaces with plants, shrubs and small trees that cool the air through evapotranspiration (or evaporation of water from leaves).

Sustainable Site

By placing parking spaces under cover, the heat island effect is reduced thus minimzing the impact on microclimate and humans.

Sustainable Site

One of the most important factors in creating a sustainable building is locating it on an appropriate site as well as its connectivy to the community. Alta was formaly the site of an old railyard. Alta is walking distance to many services we use on a daily basis.

Sustainable Site

Use of alternative trasportation with the creation of 357 spaces of covered storage facility for securing bicycles as well as reserved parking for low emitting and fuel efficient vehicles.

Water Efficiency

At Alta we’ve reduced indoor water use by 30% with the installation of water-efficient fixtures.

Water Efficiency

Alta’s landscaping is designed with climate-tolerant plants that can survive on natural rainfall. The layout of the landscaping also takes advantage of the direct rainwater runoff which gives the vegetation an additional water supply.

Energy and Atmosphere

At Alta, we have set in place processes to achieve increasing levels of energy performance above the baseline standard in order to reduce the environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use.

Energy and Atmosphere

The use of energy-efficient, high-performance windows with "low-E" glass (low-energy glass that is insulated and tinted to filter heat from the sun and a daylighting system which lessens the need for artificial light on sunny days.

Materials and Resources

A dedicated area reserved for the collection of all materials for recycling.

Indoor Environmental Quality

Specific low-emitting materials that release few and less harmful chemials were used to improve the air quality in the building. All residents will benefit from a design that conscientiously maximizes exposure to daylight, promoting energy conservation, health and well-being.

Innovation and Design

At Alta, we have devised innovative and exceptional strategies that greatly exceed the requirements of existing LEED credits.

A Smarter Kind of Living.

Living Green

Alta at K Station sets a new standard in modern green living in Chicago. Currently registered for LEED Gold certification, Alta was Chicago's first LEED Gold certified rental residence in 2010.

Sustainable Sites - Lowering the Carbon Footprint
Alta is located near mass transit lines, and features bicycle storage to encourage car-free transportation. If car transportation is needed, Alta has fuel efficient Zip Car rentals on the premises. Light-colored roofing materials, together with areas of planted green roof, helps reduce the "heat island effect", contributing to a cooler living environment.

Water Efficiency - Saving Water
At Alta, our water efficient landscaping is irrigated with only rainwater, reducing the amount of fresh drinking water used by the building. Approximately 340 billion gallons of fresh water are withdrawn from rivers, reservoirs and aquifers to support human activities on a daily basis. At Alta we recognize that water is a precious resource; our building limits the amount of fresh water used for non-potable needs.

Energy and Atmosphere - Lowering Energy Output
Alta's building envelope and mechanical systems are designed for optimum energy performance. Energy efficiency is a critical issue since buildings produce 40% of US carbon dioxide emissions, which lead to global warming. Buildings represent 68% of our electricity consumption, most of which is created by burning fossil fuels. It is important that we continue to build lower-energy buildings.

Materials and Resources - Implementing Renewable Materials
Many local and recycled materials were used in the construction of Alta, reducing the impacts of extraction, processing and transportation. In the US, construction and demolition waste constitutes about 40% of the solid waste stream; Alta did its part by recycling at least 50% of construction waste.

Indoor Environmental Quality - Improving Your Living Environment
Americans spend an average of 90% of their time indoors, where levels of pollutants may be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. At Alta, indoor materials that emit common pollutants have been avoided, making for a much healthier living environment. Natural light fills the rooms with the use of distinctive glass.

Innovation and Design - Achieving LEED Certification
Interest in sustainable design is growing at a rapid pace, and technologies are constantly evolving. Alta at K Station is Chicago's first LEED certified rental residence in a major thoroughfare with convenient access to public transportation. Alta at K Station designed by Pappageorge/Haymes Architects has gone beyond standard measures of urban redevelopment.