As part of a $133 million renovation of a federal building in Portland, the Government Services Administration plans to add 200-foot high "vegetated fins" that will carpet the building with plants and - hopefully - energy savings.
Architects claim the vegetated wall will block out summer heat and let in winter light to produce substantial cost and energy savings. When combined with solar panels, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and rainwater usage, the high-rise is predicted to use 60-65% less energy than comparable buildings and could save $280,000 annually in energy costs.
Not everyone is a fan of the proposal: despite the fact that it would be one of the most efficient high-rises in the world, a number of critics say the price tag is staggering for a renovation and the cost per square foot could be higher than that of some new, energy efficient projects.
Thanks to Rebecca Sanborn Stone
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UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research