North Exelon Pavilions: Chicago, IL
More Than Skin Deep
Energy efficiency is more than skin deep in the solar clad North Exelon Pavilions at Chicago's Millennium Park. Chicago's Millennium Park contains 24 acres of green space and five solar installations, including the North Exelon Pavilions. The pavilions incorporate photovoltaic modules into a curtain wall system that reduces building skin materials first cost and cooling loads. The west pavilion serves as a welcome center for Chicago's Millennium Park. Nevertheless, with a payback period that exceeds the life expectancy of the photovoltaic modules, the project focus goes beyond economic benefits to promote renewable energy and demonstrate building-integrated photovoltaics to park visitors. A local manufacturer modified standard photovoltaic modules to achieve a black minimalist appearance.
