commentOlé Chipotle!
A Chipotle Mexican Grill in the Midwest has become the country’s first restaurant to achieve LEED Platinum. Located in Gurnee, Illinois, the restaurant boasts a 6-kilowatt wind turbine expected to produce almost 10 percent of the energy needs and a 2,500-gallon underground cistern to collect rainwater for all landscape irrigation.
Based on what you have seen and read about this project, how would you grade it? Use the stars below to indicate your assessment, five stars being the highest rating.
An energy management system monitors all the major building systems (HVAC, wind turbine, water heater, lighting) and keeps daily performance records. The restaurant also employs what is referred to as a Green Housekeeping Policy, which reduces exposure to toxic materials for both workers and the environment by eliminating hazardous components of cleaners and reducing waste.
Just because the building is better for the environment does not mean the food is any healthier for you. Despite its Energy Star-rated equipment, the kitchen produces a fully loaded Chipotle burrito packed with 1,250 calories and 51 grams of fat. Still, the eco-friendly design with LED lighting and water-saving faucets and toilets proves that green design isn’t just for the expensive, high-end restaurants.
According to the USGBC, Chipotle has two other restaurants waiting for word on LEED certification—one in Minnesota and one on Long Island. Steve Ells, founder, chairman, and CEO of the chain, has said, “We want to incorporate elements of sustainable design into all of our new restaurants.”
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