Sustainably Retrofitting a Mid-Century Skyscraper

Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) were brought on board to bring a 1958 SOM skyscraper up to LEED standards. Architects found that the original plans, which weren't implemented, looked pretty good by today's standards.

1 minute read

June 17, 2010, 1:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur

The original design of the Inland Steel Building included double-paned glass for better insulation.

Alexandra Lange writes, "Other features of the original building sound like they could have been specified yesterday. Graham moved the support piers to the perimeter-where they form striking stainless-steel ribs on the exterior of the building along South Dearborn Street-to create 58-by-178-foot open floors. He integrated electricity and telephone lines into the floor as part of a modular system called 'Inland Cellufloor,' which shares much in common with today's energy-efficient floor delivery systems."

FULL STORY: Sustainably Retrofitting a Mid-Century Skyscraper

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Metropolis Magazine

Architecture Energy Environment Illinois LEED Chicago Skidmore Owings and Merrill View More

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