Exelon Pavilion

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Exelon Pavilions

The Exelon Pavilions are a set of four solar energy generating structures in Millennium Park in the Loop community area of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, USA. The Northeast Exelon Pavilion and Northwest Exelon Pavilion (jointly the North Exelon Pavilions) are located on the northern edge of the park along Randolph Street. The Southeast Exelon Pavilion and Southeast Exelon Pavilion (jointly the South Exelon Pavilions) are located on southern edge of the park along Monroe Street. The pavilions provide sufficient energy to power the equivalent of 14 star-rated energy-efficient houses in Chicago.

The Pavilions were designed in January 2001 and construction began in January 2004. The South Pavilions were completed and opened in July 2004 and the North Pavilions were completed in November 2004, with a grand opening on April 30, 2005. In addition to producing energy, three of the four pavilions provide access to the park's below ground parking garages and the fourth serves as the park's welcoming center. Exelon, a company that generates the electricity transmitted by its subsidiary Commonwealth Edison, donated $5.5 million for the Pavilions.

Details

Exelon and ComEd have collaborated with the city of Chicago on a variety of environmental projects, such as the installation of solar power. The solar-powered buildings are a result of Exelon’s joint efforts with the city to support sustainable design and renewable energy while furthering educational and social awareness of "green" architecture in Chicago. The United States Department of Energy has recognized the buildings as part of their Million Solar Roofs Initiative, helping Chicago rank fourth among U.S. cities in solar installations.

North Pavilions

The North Pavilions were designed as by Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge Architects, with Thomas H. Beeby as lead designer. Beeby designed the North Pavilions to be in harmony with the neighboring Harris Theater, a performing-arts theater on the northern edge of Millennium Park. Beeby also served as a designer for the Harris Theater project. The 3-story Northwest Pavilion is the largest of the Pavilions with of solar energy surface, which is composed of 460 photovoltaic modules. The 2-story Northeast Pavilion has of solar energy surface, which is composed of 460 photovoltaic modules. They are located to the east and west of the Harris Theater, and are designed as minimalist black cubes. These pavlions are capable of producing of electricity annually.

The photovoltaic modules generate electricity to power much of the pavilions’ lighting. The North Pavilions received The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver rating from the United States Green Building Council in 2005. The North Pavilions are the first Chicago buildings to use building integrated photovoltaic cells, which are a solar energy system incorporated into the building's construction materials.

Each of the pavilions is layered with an outer recycled-aluminum curtain wall on the exterior. These contain specially designed mounted mono-crystalline photovoltaic modules and insulated glass. The Photovoltaic modules cover an air cavity in which convective air cycles as a result of radiant solar heat gain. The roof is waterproofed with a highly heat-reflective thermoplastic membrane that combats the urban heat-island effect. Several other construction materials are derived from renewable resources. The pavilions’ exterior canopies are partly lit by ground-lights that operate on photocells, activated at sunset.

Northwest Pavilion

The Northwest Pavilion, located at 151 E. Randolph Street, houses the Millennium Park Welcome Center and the Exelon energy display. The Northwest Pavilion also contains Millennium Park offices, and public washrooms. It is the only pavilion that does not provide access to the parking garage below. The Northwest Pavilion augments its photovoltaic exterior, energy efficient design characteristics such as recycling facilities and further construction materials derived from renewable resources.

The Millennium Park Welcome Center offers guides to the park, wheelchairs and is a venue for exhibitions on energy, parks and other themes. Interactive displays have educated visitors on renewable energy and the workings of the solar panels covering the pavilion. The exhibits have a touch screen interactive web-based component depicting the city's use of solar energy. The exhibits also have a dynamic multi-screen video presentation on electicity usage. The building's atrium includes a sculptural installation with backlit three two-way mirrors by Chicago-based artists Patrick McGee and Adelheid Mers that describes the links between the Earth’s atmosphere, the solar system and scientific applications.

Northeast Pavilion

The Northeast Pavilion houses a pedestrian entrance to the Millennium Park parking garage as well as the Chicago Shop at Millennium Park, which is open to the public. The Chicago Shop, which is located on the second floor of the Northeast Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph Street offers self-guided Millennium Park audio tour for rental. The shop also sells official Millennium Park and Chicago souvenirs. The Northeast Pavilion also provides access to the Harris Theater Terrace.

South Pavilions

The facades of the South Pavlions are limestone and glass in order to compliment the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. The South Pavilions were designed by Renzo Piano, who is also the designer of the Art Insitute's new modern wing and the Nichols Bridgeway. The Southwest Pavilion (pictured right) is the smallest of the Pavilions with of solar energy surface, which is composed of 16 photovoltaic modules. The Southeast Pavilion has of solar energy surface, which is composed of 24 photovoltaic modules. They are located to the east and west of the Lurie Garden. These pavlions are capable of producing of electricity annually.