Green Synagogue Goes Platinum

On a 6 degree day this February, a newly minted synagogue opened up in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, IL. While its main purpose is as a place of worship for the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, this is a building that also keeps the creation in mind. The synagogue is the first to score the U.S. Green Building Council's Platinum LEED certification, joining a very short list of Godly institutions attaining that status.

The $10 million, 31,600 square foot structure will save 40% on water consumption and 50% on lighting usage compared to a conventional house of God. Amazingly, 96% of the materials from the old synagogue, demolished to make way for the new one, were recycled for use in the construction.

As with most platinum-rated buildings, this one is a cornucopia of sustainable design buzz words such as recycled, rapidly-renewable, native, reclaimed, and efficient. The exterior cypress siding originates from deconstructed barns in upstate New York. Lighting is provided by a combination of natural sunlight and ultra-efficient fluorescents. Heating and cooling are controlled on a room-by-room basis and the windows open for ventilation in more temperate weather. Building materials, literally from floor to ceiling, are made from recycled and non-toxic materials.

Even the sanctuary lamp, known as the Ner Tamid, is lit via solar power. Rabbi Brant Rosen's blog has a complete rundown of green features as well as a series of updates spanning the building's 16-month construction.

Update: The Rabbi kindly informs us that his synagogue hasn't yet been certified, but is "on track" for a platinum rating and while 96% of the old building was recycled, only the concrete was re-used in the new structure. The rest found its way into other buildings.