Inclusive. Energy-efficient. Budget-friendly. The new headquarters for Access Living, a non-profit group serving the disabled in Chicago, stands as a model of how the integration of two naturally compatible design philosophies respects those using the space.

Established in 1980, Access Living is a nonresidential Center for Independent Living for people with all types of disabilities. The organization has played a leading role in the drafting and passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and worked for improved accessibility within Chicago’s public transportation and the Chicago Public School System. Today, Access Living’s programs and services promote empowerment, independence and inclusion in every aspect of community life. After more than 25 years of rental offices, Access Living now has a permanent space that is ideal for their mission. The four-story, 50,000-square-foot facility, designed by LCM Architects of Chicago, features an open plan with meeting rooms and private offices, a self-sustaining green roof with vegetation native to the Chicago area, and numerous sustainable building features.

The Challenge
Long wanting a modern, fully accessible, permanent facility, Access Living had a vision to build a model of both green and universal design. This building would not only meet, but also exceed elements of sustainability and accessibility.

The Solution
Access Living Chicago is believed to be the first building anywhere to integrate and incorporate both green design and universal design. Spearheaded by a nationally renowned expert in accessibility compliance and universal design, Jack H. Catlin, FAIA (an LCM partner who was the first practicing architect to serve as chair of the U.S. Access Board), the design team received critical help to achieve these twin objectives with lighting control solutions from Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., including the highly energy-efficient Quantum total light management system.

What does Quantum do?
Quantum prevents wasted lighting energy by maximizing the efficient use of light in your building. Quantum automatically dims or switches all electric lighting and controls daylight using automated window shades. Quantum manages, monitors, and reports on all the lighting usage in your building for optimal energy performance and productivity while minimizing maintenance and operating costs.

What are the benefits?

• Save electricity and protect the environment
• Reduces greenhouse gases by eliminating unnecessary energy use

Save money
Lowers operating costs and peak demand charges

Create a more flexible space
Lighting and shading zones can be re-configured without rewiring

Increase productivity and comfort
Makes occupants more productive and comfortable with preferred light levels and automated shade control

In addition to Quantum, the facility also includes other Lutron products:

• EcoSystem fluorescent lighting control solution
• Lutron automated shades
• GRAFIK Eye multi-scene dimming controls

"Lutron is trying to build virtual power plants of saved energy," says Craig Sieben of Sieben Energy Associates, an energy consultant for the Access Living project, applauding Lutron’s energy-efficient lighting control technology.

Richard Lehner, a partner at LCM Architects, says this about Quantum and the Access Living project: "Lutron helped us drive a solution that was advantageous to serve both green design and universal design. The whole concept is wonderful and I hope it spreads to other buildings."

The Lutron automated shades also play an important role for both green and universal design goals, contributing to the building’s energy efficiency. In addition, a disabled person who might not be able to reach or manipulate standard pull-down shades can control their movement using an electronic control.

Since its opening, the building has had a significant impact on the community, attaining Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System for its green design features, a Sustainable Design Award from the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects, a Barrier-Free America Award from the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and a Silver Award from the Association of Licensed Architects.

Access Living says the careful selection of these Lutron lighting control products mirrored the overall approach taken by the design team and others for the entire project.

"Everything, from the lighting to the surface of the floors and the type of carpeting installed, was deliberately chosen to effectively accommodate the widest range of disabilities in ways that are not noticeable and work for everyone," says Jerry Rauman, Access Living CFO.

All photos © Lambros Photography 2007