Excellence in Architecture Winner

Anixter International Inc.

Looking toward the future, this worldwide manufacturer, partnering with a national developer, took the opportunity to set an example by exploring a green building approach to industrial facility design. Their combined strategy, which selected a new site only three blocks from the existing facility, had the objective of attaining greater production efficiencies--measured by improved process flow, increased cubic storage height, and greatly reduced utility costs. The US Green Building Council LEED Guidelines for Industrial Buildings were used as a benchmark for the architectural design. The project encouraged new construction practices to account for the building’s environmental impact in a more holistic manner.

In 2007, this project became the first industrial-category building, and the second-largest building in Illinois to achieve LEED certification. The design earned certification points across thirteen sustainable criteria. Among them, the design utilizes a state-of-the-art energy management system and provides 100% natural light during daylight operations with a well-insulated roof that includes 150 skylights. The facility operates 24 / 7, and despite the building type’s predominant roof surface, it is achieving the company’s goal of 30% in electrical energy cost savings. The project has become a model for future facilities, both by this company and the developer that supports sustainable solutions to industrial facility design.

2008 AIA NEI Sponsors

Platinum
AMSCO Engineering
M.G. Welbel & Assoc.

Gold
Berg Engineering Consultants, Ltd.

Silver
20/10 Engineering Group, LLC
AVI Midwest
Degler Design, Inc.
Design Perspectives
Drucker Zajdel Structural Engineers
ECS Illinois, LLC
Eriksson Engineering Associates, Ltd.
Euclid Insurance
Illinois Brick Company
R. I. Johnson & Associates
Northfield Block Co.
W.B. Olson, Inc
Ragnar Benson Construction, LLC
The George Sollitt Construction Co.
W-T Engineering

Contributor
Aerotek Architecture & Engineering
Aucutts - A Robinson Brick Co.
Building Stone Products
City Five Development
Clay Products
McCluskey Engineering Corp.
Metro Design Associates, Inc.
RAMM Brick & Supply

We extend a special “Thank you!” to our new and returning 2008 sponsors. Sponsors enable AIA Northeast Illinois to provide many of the programs and events that are held during the year. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please call the chapter office at 630/527-8550.